Objective:To explore the protective effects and mechanism of Peroxisome proliferative activated receptor-γ activation of auxiliary factor 1 Alpha(PGC-1α) on injured neurons induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation(OGD) in embryonic mice.Methods:Cortical neurons cultured for 7 days were randomly divided into four groups:normal control group,oxygen-glucose deprivation group(OGD);OGD + PGC-1α overexpression plasmid group(overexpression group) and OGD+no-load plasmid group(no-load group). Overexpression group and the no-load group pretreatment with PGC-1α overexpression plasmid and no-load plasmid respectively before OGD treatment. 24 hours after OGD,cell survival rate was detected by MTT(Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide),observe the expression of PGC-1α was using Western blot technology,and the flow cytometry was used to monitor the content of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Results:Compared with the normal control group,the cell survival rate in OGD group decreased(P < 0.01),the survival rate was increased in overexpression group due to pretreatment of PGC-1α overexpression plasmid,which was compared with OGD group and no-load group with a significant difference(P < 0.01). The ROS of OGD groups were significantly higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.01);the content of ROS was decreased in overexpression group,and was significantly lower than that of the OGD group and no-load group (P < 0.01). Conclusion:The study indicated that PGC-1α can significantly reduce the ROS content of oxygen-glucose deprivation neurons and improve its survival rate,to protect the neurons.