Background Nerve functional lesion often cause nerve dysfunction，and patients always merge with anxiety, intracranial pressure in preoperative.And some special surgery need intraoperative awaken.We also need keep a safe and effective sedation and analgesic in postoperative. Dexmedetomidine（DEX) is widely used in nerve function operation in recent years. Objective This review will focus on the most recent advances regarding many of DEX to the study of nerve functional surgery. Content DEX have sedative and analgesic effects, and the effects on breathing slightly.It can also improve postoperative cognitive function. It has unique mechanism.Trend The progress in research DEX to the study of nerve functional surgery will contribute to develop new and safe effective anesthetics.