<正> The changes of immunoreactive neurotensin（ir-NT）contents in the brain areas

pituitary gland and plasma in the traumatized rats were observed in the present study.The results of radioimmunoassay exhibited significant changes of the ir-NT contents inthe hypothalamus

pituitary gland

plasma

injured tissue

hippocampus

central gray andspinal cord in the posttraumatic rats at different intervals.A predominant characteristicsof the changes of ir-NT levels in the brain areas

pituitary gland and plasma was thedramatical decrease at various times except for the hypothalamus

central gray andhippocampus with biphasic alterations.The ir-NT contents in the frontal cortex andpons-medulla also displayed changes to different extent under the acute craniocerebraltrauma condition.These results suggest that NT may play a role in the pathophysiologyof traumatic head injury.