Abstract:To investigate the effects of the cordyceps militaris water extract on learning and memory in rats， and to discusse its mechanism. 32 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into positive control group， negative con－ trol group， cordyceps militaris low-dose and high-dose group. Using cordyceps militaris water extraction liquid lavage for four weeks， taking the hippocampus tissue homogenate of hippocampal tissue to detect the content changes of single amine substance， and use the Y maze to observe the ability of learning and memory in rats. NE levels of hippocampal tissues increased significantly in the positive control group， cordyceps militaris high-dose group and cordyceps militaris low-dose group compared with negative control group（all P < 0.05）， DA levels of hippocampal tissues increased significantly in the positive control group and cordyceps militaris high -dose group compared with negative control group（all P < 0.05）； within 7 days of Y maze training process the escape latency of rats shorten in three groups， the number of entering error area reduced significantly in the positive control group， cordyceps militaris high-dose group and cordyceps sinensis low-dose group compared with nega－ tive control group（all P < 0.05）. Cordyceps militaris increase the capability of learning and memory in rats， that may be through increasing the level of NE and DA.