MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules that act as negative regulators of gene expression and modulate the stability and/or the translational efficiency of target messenger RNAs. Studies have shown that miRNAs control diverse aspects of brain disease. In this study, the expression of miR-124 was investigated to explore the possible impacts of them on cerebral hypoperfusion. The model of aging rats with cerebral hypoperfusion was established by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO). The expression of miR-124 was determined by real-time PCR. Cell cycle analysis was performed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Results showed that compared with control group, the expression of miR-124 decreased at early stage after operation in 2VO rats, the lowest level appeared on day 7 (p < 0.05). Then the expression of miR-124 increased slightly on day 14. Overexpression of miR-124 in SH-SY5Y cell exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) induced cell cycle arrested in G1 phase. MiR-124 is potentially involved in cerebral hypoperfusion progression which may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of cerebral hypoperfusion.