CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), a transcriptional factor of the basic-leucine zipper family, can regulate the transcription activity of downstream target genes. After acute cerebral ischemia, the activity of C/EBPβ changes, and participates in the process of cerebral ischemia injury by regulating neuronal apoptosis and inflammation. This article reviews the molecular biological characteristics of C/EBPβ and its expression changes and role in acute cerebral ischemia, providing a basis for developing new neuroprotective drugs for acute cerebral ischemia using C/EBPβ as therapeutic target.