Objective To clarify the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation （rTMS） on rat motor cortical excitabi- lity and neurofunction after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods After determined awake resting motor threshold （MT） and motor evoked potentials （MEPs） of right hindlimbs

20 Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） reperfusion injury

then rTMS were applied to rTMS group （n = 10） at different time

while control group （n = 10） received no stimulation. A week later

MT and MEPs were evaluated again

as well as neurological deficits and infarct volume. The effects of rTMS and MCAO reperfusion injury on these parameters were analyzed. Results After MCAO reperfusion

both MT level and neurological deficit scores increased

distinct focal infarction formed

and latency of MEP elongated. Compared with the control group

the increased extent of MT and neurological scores of rats receiving rTMS were significantly lower （P < 0.05）

as well as the infarct volumes reduced significantly（P < 0.05）. But MEP was not affected by rTMS obviously. There was a positive linear correlation between postinjury MT and infarct volume （r = 0.64

P < 0.05）. Conclusion rTMS may facilitate neurofunction recovery after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Postinjury MT could provide prognostic information after MCAO reperfusion injury.