【Abstract】Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of endogenous, small non-coding RNAs that mediate post-transcriptional gene silencing by complementary binding to the 3’untranslated region of target mRNAs. Accumulating evidences demonstrates that miRNAs regulate gene silencing in many signal pathways. Objective Review the role of miRNAs in the nervous system. Content The role of miRNAs in neuronal development, differentiation, as well as the pathological progression of neurodegenerative disease, the nervous system tumor and brain ischemia. Trend MicroRNAs have been ideal candidates for diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, preventing and curing disease.