Objective To observe the influence of acupuncture on the plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） and nerve growth factor （NGF） of acute cerebral infarction patients to provide the theoretical evidence for using acupuncture in the treatment of cerebral infarction in the acute stage. Methods Fifty acute cerebral infarction patients were randomized into treatment group and control group with 25 in each. Both groups were given routine treatment

based on which the treatment group was added with acupuncture

once a day

2 weeks in succession. Before and after treatment

the content of BDNF and NGF of both groups was detected and neurological deficit score was used for evaluation. Results After treatment

the content of BDNF and NGF of the two groups was significantly increased （P<0.05 or P<0.01）

and the increase in the treatment group was more remarkable than in the control group （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. The neurological deficit score of all patients was significantly decreased after treatment （P<0.01）

and the decrease in the treatment group was more remarkable than in the control group （P<0.05）. Conclusion The routine treatment plus acupuncture helps to improve the expression of BDNF and NGF of the acute cerebral infarction patients. This might be the part machanism of acupuncture in the treatment of acute cerebral infarction.