Authors studied 360 patients with different stages of chronic cerebral ischemia (CBI), including 180 patients followed-up for 12 months after the first examination, who were stratified into two groups with regard to disease course - favorable (stable) and unfavorable (progressive or with acute episodes of cerebral blood circulation disturbance). Oxidative stress markers were evaluated by the level of lipid- (malonic dialdehyde) and protein - (carbon products of protein oxidation, the level of plasma SH-groups, the accumulation of the products of deep oxidation of proteins) oxidation. Along with indicators of oxidative stress, we evaluated the binding capacity of albumin using fluorescent probe K-35. Initial level of these markers and their concentrations after the copper ion induced oxidation of the plasma were determined. The highest increase in oxidative stress indicators was seen in patients with acute episodes. Authors identified significant differences in these indicators in the groups of patients with different clinical variants of CBI course as well as qualitative and quantitative diagnostic criteria of unfavorable course and risk of stroke. Our findings suggest that the imbalance of oxidative-antioxidative system contributes to the course of CBI. Prediction of unfavorable course of CBI determines the timeliness of adequate treatment.