OBJECTIVE: To investigate the pathogenesis of brain damage by fluoride intoxication, phospholipid content, and fatty acid composition in rat brain with fluorosis were annlysed. METHODS: Wistar rats were fed with NaF in various amounts and time periods to produce the animal model with chronic fluorosis. Phospholipid content and fatty acids composition were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, respectively. RESULTS: All animals fed with high amount of fluoride suffered from chronic fluorosis. The total brain phospholipid content was lower in the rat treated with fluoride, which mainly influenced phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholin, and phosphatidylserine. No modifications were detected in fatty acid and aldehyde compositions of individual phospholipid classes. CONCLUSION: The metabolism of brain phospholipid might be interfered by fluoride accumulated in brain tissue, which is related with the degeneration of neuron. The changes of brain phospholipid could be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic fluorosis.