Growth differentiation factor-15（ GDF-15） is a new divergent member of the transforming growth factor-β（ TGF-β） superfamily. Research on GDF-15 is currently focused on its anti-inflammatory， anticell proliferation， and inhibition of tumor growth. In the nervous system， researchers found that GDF-15 is a protective factor for nigral dopaminergic neurons， a new trophic factor for motor and sensory neurons， a predictor of cerebrovascular disease and brain damage. Recent studies have shown that GDF-15 also has the function of modulating the expression of neuronal ion channels and affecting the function of synaptic transmission. This review summarizes the biological characteristics of GDF-15 and its recent advances in neurological diseases.