Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of non‑coding RNA, with a closed‑loop structure, which exists in organisms extensively and is produced in the way of specific back‑splicing mechanism. It plays an essential role in regulating gene expression at the post‑transcriptional level. CircRNA is abundant enrichment in the central nervous system of mammalians, which is tightly related to the proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and injury of neurons after cerebral ischemia. Studies have shown that circRNA expression patterns change significantly during cerebral ischemia; however, little is known about their regulatory networks and the factors that alter circRNA expression patterns. Analysis and summary for the previous studies, this paper aims to describe the formative mechanism, functional role and expression characteristics of circRNA in the brain tissue detailedly, as well as its research progress in cerebral ischemic injury. With the development of molecular biological technology and the in‑depth clinical application of circRNA, it is expected to become a promising indicator for the early diagnosis and treatment of cerebral ischemia diseases and prognosis evaluation.