Post-stroke depression （PSD） is one of the common complications of stroke， but its pathophysiological mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In recent years， it has become a research hotspot to find serological markers related to PSD and the targets of new antidepressants. Interleukin-6 （IL-6） has a wide range of biological functions and a clear pro-inflammatory effect in vivo， which is closely related to the occurrence of PSD. This article aims to review the relationship between IL-6 and the pathogenesis of PSD， and to explore the possibility of IL-6 as a potential therapeutic target.