The objective of this study was to determine the effect of ethyl eicosopentate (EPA-E) on local cerebral blood flow (1-CBF) and local glucose utilization (1-CGU) in specific regions of the brain in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). EPA-E (100 mg/kg body weight) or saline was orally administered to 8-week-old SHRSP. L-CBF and 1-CGU in the EPA-E-treated, saline-treated, and 8-week-old control rats were measured autoradiographically using 14C-iodoantipyrine and 14C-deoxyglucose (Sakurada's and Sokoloff's methods). The 1-CBF of the saline-treated group decreased significantly with age in all areas measured. EPA-E treatment alleviated the age-dependent decrease in 1-CBF in all areas, especially those in the basal ganglia. The 1-CGU of the saline-treated group did not change with age, however EPA-E treatment increased 1-CGU in all areas measured, though the changes were not significant. EPA-E ameliorated the decrease in cerebral blood flow and improved glucose metabolism in SHRSP suffering from severe hypertension. These results suggest that EPA-E may be useful in the prevention of stroke.