microRNA(miRNA)，a class of specialized RNA，which does not translate into proteins directly，but plays a role in the post - transcriptional level of genes，and it is one of the first non - coding RNAs to be studied. miRNA is richly expressed in the mammalian nervous system，and is involved in the regulation of neurodegenerative injury，stroke，brain trauma and other diseases. Recent studies have found that miRNA is especially associated with ischemic stroke. This paper summarized the latest progress of miRNA as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of ischemic stroke and brain protection mechanisms as therapeutic targets，providing reference and basis for the clinical application of nucleic acid therapy with miRNA as the core.