OBJECTIVE To provide a summary of the different experimental models of cerebral ischemia designed both under in vivo and in vitro conditions. A clear and concise description of the specific types of brain lesion reproduced by each model is given together with the most frequent technical troubles associated. METHODS Experimental models of cerebral ischemia have contributed substantially to the understanding of the physiopathology of the ischemic brain injury and to test the beneficial effects of new therapies. Outcome of patients suffering from an ischemic stroke has improved considerably with the use of these models, particularly after the introduction of thrombolytic and neuroprotective drugs. Experimental models allow the study of the evolving ischemic brain injury under strict and controlled conditions. Usefulness of experimental models is limited by their reliability, simplicity and reproducibility among different researchers. Small rodents, especially rats, have been the preferred animals used to develop models of cerebral ischemic injury, due to their cerebral physiology and vascularisation which is closer to the human. CONCLUSIONS The use of experimental models of cerebral ischemia constitutes the most suitable tool to investigate the physiopathology of this type of injury. However their simplicity prevents an exact reproduction of the cerebral damage observed in clinical settings. This could be the main reason for the discrepancies observed between the therapeutic effect in the experimental and clinical studies.