Exosome is a class of extracellular vesicles of endocytic origin that carries functional messenger RNA， noncoding RNA， proteins， lipids， DNA and other bioactive substances from the source cell and function in many physiological processes. In the brain， they are involved in processes of synaptic plasticity， neuronal stress responses， intercellular communication and neurogenesis. The exosomes can cross the blood cerebrospinal fluid barrier， and their content varies with their secretion and receptor cells， so they can be used as biomarkers of neurological dysfunction. Intercellular communication in the central nervous system is essential for brain growth， development and maintenance of homeostasis. Studying neuron-derived exosomes can provide information for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. This review focuses specifically on the role of neuronderived exosomes in the central nervous system， and the pathophysiological mechanisms in mental disorders.