Abstract: Objective　To investigate the characteristics of Wallerian degeneration in different parts of cerebral infarction and its effect on neurological function. Methods　A total of 185 patients with acute cerebral infarction were divided into three groups according to the infarct location: group A (51 cases) with endothelial and subcortical infarcts within the anterior circulation, group B (78 cases) with infarction in the semioval center, paraventricular and basal ganglia within the anterior circulation, and group C (56 cases) with infarction in corpus callosum, thalamus, brainstem and cerebellum within the posterior circulation. MRI was performed within 7 days, 3 months, 9 months and 24 months after the onset of the disease. The incidence of Wallerian degeneration in different time points was counted. Fugl-Meyer motor function scale (FMA) and activities of daily living scale (ADL) were used to evaluate motor function and activities of daily living within 14 days, 3 months, 9 months and 24 months after onset. The changes of FMA and ADL scores were compared at onset and 24 months after onset. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the differences of FMA and ADL scores and baseline characteristics. Results　At 3, 9 and 24 months after cerebral infarction, the incidence of Wallerian degeneration was significantly higher in group A and group B than that in group C (all P＜0.01). The results of multivariate linear regression analysis showed that gender and Wallerian degeneration time were the influencing factors of FMA score changes after 24 months (all P＜0.05). The FMA score of male patients decreased by 2.230 points more than that of female patients after 24 months, and the decrease range of FMA of patients with Wallerian degeneration at 3 months, 9 months and 24 months were 15.571, 12.970 and 9.620 points respectively. At the same time, the time of Wallerian degeneration was the influencing factor of ADL score changes in patients after 24 months (all P＜0.05). The ADL increased range of patients with Wallerian degeneration at 3 months, 9 months and 24 months were 14.323, 11.969 and 8.574 respectively. Conclusion　Patients with anterior circulation infarction are more prone to Wallerian degeneration, and the earlier it occurs, the more obvious the effect on neuromotor function and daily life.