Lactoferrin is a natural multifunctional protein found in animal colostrum. It is involved in iron transport and has powerful biological functions involved in regulating the immune system and fighting broad-spectrum bacteria, oxidation and cancer. Recent studies have found that lactoferrin can pass the blood-brain barrier through receptormediated cytocytosis and activate microglia/ macrophage coupling to induce pro-inflammatory responses. Thus, lactoferrin plays an important role in regulating iron homeostasis, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Therefore, this article reviews the biological characteristics and functions of lactoferrin and its related mechanisms and the progress of research into early neural development and cognitive functions, neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system, intracerebral hemorrhage, acute ischemic stroke, and tumors of central nervous system to provide a reference for related research.