Transferring microRNA-126 into a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion model via lentivirus, we found that microRNA-126 overexpression increased the number of CD31<sup>+</sup>/BrdU<sup>+</sup> (5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-positive) proliferating endothelial cells and DCX<sup>+</sup>/BrdU<sup>+</sup> neuroblasts in the ischemic mouse brain, improved neurobehavioral outcomes (p < 0.05), and reduced brain atrophy volume (p < 0.05) compared with control mice.