Objective To investigate the relationship between post-cerebral infarction depression and negative life events and the therapeutic effect on depression. Methods 162 patients with cerebral infarction were assigned to negative life event affecting group (A group,85) and non- negative life event affecting group (B group,77), and then assessed condition of depression by self-rating depression scale( SDS )and Hamilton rating scale (HRSD). The curative effect before and after therapy of fluoxetine(20 mg/d?4 w) was compared. Results The incidence of depression are 56.5% in group A and 36.4% in group B respectively. The difference is significantly( P