Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation between X-ray-induced rat cerebral neuron apoptosis and radiation doses.Methods In a controlled experiment, the rats in the experimental group received X-ray radiation at different doses (2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy), and the apoptotic cerebral neurons were counted after in situ end-labeling and immunohistochemical staining.Results X-ray radiation induced apoptosis of rat cerebral neurons, and the apoptotic rate varied with the radiation doses. Significant difference in the apoptotic rate was noted before and after radiation (P<0.0001), and between different radiation dose groups (P<0.005). The apoptotic rate differed significantly at different time points after the radiation.Conclusion Low or medium doses of X-ray is able to induce rat cerebral neuron apoptosis depending on the radiation doses and following a definable time course.