The present study was designed to examine the induction of c-fos mRNA and Fos-like protein in the rostral medulla of awake rats following electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation, using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical method. Rats were subjected to EA stimulation (100 Hz, 1-2-3 mA) for 30 min by inserting two needles into acupoints Zusanli (S36) and Sanyingjiao (Sp6) of each hind leg. Animals were sacrificed 1h and 2h after EA for in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical study, respectively. c-fos mRNA or Fos-like-immunoreactivity (FLI) neurons were densely distributed in the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), including raphe magnus nucleus, gigantocellular reticular nucleus, gigantocellular reticular nucleus alpha, as well as intermediate reticular nucleus. Neurons in the solitary tract nucleus also showed c-fos expression. The results suggest that the RVM may be an important region for mediating EA effect.