Objective To investigate the change of vascular endothelial growth factor in the brains of rats with permanently bilateral common carotid artery ligation. Methods Permanently bilateral common carotid artery ligation model was reproduced in 6 randomly grouped rats as operative group. Six rats used in pseudo--operative group. Their abilities of learning and memory were tested in two sessions in Morris Water Maze, and vascular endothelial growth factor of was measured on day 1,3,7,14,21, and 30 after operation. Results The capabilities of learning and memory were decreased significantly in operative group than that in pseudo--operative group. The serum vascular endothelial growth factor increased sig- nificantly in operative group than that in pseudo--operative group on day 1,3,7,14,21. On day 30, the serum vascular endothelial growth factor decreased in operative group than that in pseudo-operative group. Conclusions Permanently bilateral common carotid artery ligation can produce reliable cerebral ischemia animal model. The rat serum vascular endothelial growth factor was increased in early phase of brain isehemia and decreased after 30 days.