Objective: To investigate the function of FAK / Twist1 signaling pathway during craniosynostosis closure. Methods: Ten days old rats were divided into a control group (n = 50) and a rotation group (n = 50) . Both of them were made a approximately 0. 5 cm circle bone window at the midpoint of the lambdoid suture of the rat.The bone flaps were left free without damaging the dura mater. The bone flaps in the control group were repositioned in situ , and the bone flaps in the rotation group were rotated 180 ° and repositioned 3 weeks later. Then the experiments were performance as followed :open field test , measurement of body weight , head circumference , bone flap area , and thickness of bone flap in the two groups , observation of cranial suture closure by microscopy and HE staining , FAK / Twist1 expression determined by Western blot , real⁃time PCR , and immunohistochemical staining in the bone flap and dure , respectively. Results: The cranial sutures was completely closed in the rotation groupand that was open in the control group through detecting by microscopic examination and HE staining. The thickness of the bone flap in the derotation group was greater than that in the control group , with statistical significance (P < 0. 01) . There were no significant differences between two groups in head circumference , weight , bone flap area , and operative area. The results of behavioral test showed that after the closure of cranial suture , the acsion of FAK was significantly increased in the calvaria and dura as well as Twsit1 was significantly decreased in the dura in rotating group measuring by Western blot , real⁃time PCR , and immunohistochemical staining (P < 0. 05) . Conclusion FAK/Twist1 may play an important role in craniosynostosis after rotation.