Abstract: objective To study the expression of GFAP and pathologic changes after rats brain concussion, so that to provide evidence on brain concussion for forensic identification. Methods Forty-five SD rats were divided into 3,6,12,24 h and 2,4,7,10 d and normal control groups in terms of different wounding time after brain concussion model established, and the expression of GFAP after rats brain concussion were then observed by using SP immunohistochemical method. Results In normal control brain, low-level GFAP expressions could be observed. After six hours′ brain concussion, GFAP positive cells increased obviously. The trend reached to the peak at 7d, partly declined at 10 d, then decreased gradually. Conclusion Brain concussion induced the expression of GFAP. The detection of GFAP could be useful for diagnosis of brain concussion on forensic pathology, and could be a reference index for timing of injury after brain concussion

Key words: brain concussion, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), immunohistochemistry, injury time