Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) at Zusanli and Neiguan points on neuroplasticity factors GAP-43, SYN and MAP-2 in cerebral ischemic rats. Methods Eighty rats were divided into Sham, EA 3 d, middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)3 d, EA 14 d, and MCAO 14 d groups by a random number table with 16 rats per group. Except for the Sham group, a permanent MCAO rat model was established using the Longa thread embolization method . The EA group was treated at Neiguan and Zusanli points for 20 min daily after surgery. The motor function of rats was assessed by the balance beam test, and protein expression of neuroplasticity factors GAP-43 and SYN in the cerebral cortex contralateral to the infarct was assessed by Western blot. mRNA expression of GAP-43 and SYN was assessed by Real-time quantitative PCR, and colocalized expression of GAP-43/ MAP-2 and SYN/ MAP-2 was determined by immunofluorescence. Results Compared with the Sham group, the MCAO group had significantly higher balance beam test scores at each time point(P<0. 05), GAP-43 and SYN mRNA expression was significantly lower in MCAO 3 d(P<0. 05)and 14 d(P<0. 05) groups, a significantly reduced SYN/ MAP-2 colocalized mean optical density was found in the MCAO 14 d group(P<0. 05), and GAP-43 and SYN protein expression was not significantly different in MCAO 3 d and 14 d groups. Compared with the MCAO group, no significant differences were seen in balance beam test scores at 1, 3, and 7 days in the EA group, and the balance beam test scores were significantly lower at 14 days(P<0. 05). Compared with the MCAO 3 d group, GAP-43 and SYN mRNA expression was significantly increased in the EA 3 d group(P< 0. 05). Compared with the MCAO 14 d group, GAP-43 and SYN mRNA expression was significantly increased(P<0. 05)GAP-43 and SYN protein expression was significantly increased in the EA 14 d group(P<0. 05), and the colocalized mean optical density of GAP-43/ MAP-2 and SYN/ MAP-2 were significantly increased(P<0. 05). Conclusions EA stimulation of Zusanli and Neiguan points improves motor functions after ischemic injury, and the mechanism may be related to promoting expression of neuroplasticity factors to induce axon sprouting and activating neuroplasticity after injury.