目的　观察成年和中老年大鼠心内神经节神经生长因子 (NGF)阳性神经元的存在及其变化。　方法免疫组织化学法。　结果　成年及中老年大鼠心内神经节均存在NGF阳性神经元 ,但中老年大鼠心内神经节NGF阳性神经元明显减少 ,表达明显降低。　结论　心房后壁心内神经节存在NGF阳性神经元 ,并随年龄增加表达减少 ,提示NGF表达的减少可能与心脏功能的退化相关。 Objective To investigate the existence and changes of nerve growth factor (NGF) positive neurons in the cardiac ganglia of adult and middle aged rats. Methods Immunohistochemistry. Results NGF positive neurons were present in the cardiac ganglia of adult and middle aged rats. However, the number of NGF positive neurons in the inner ganglion of middle aged rats was obviously reduced and the expression of NGF positive neurons was significantly decreased. Conclusion There are NGF positive neurons in the atria of the posterior atrial appendage. The expression of NGF is decreased with age, suggesting that the decrease of NGF expression may be related to the degeneration of cardiac function.