Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is closely linked to a variety of neurological disorders, involved in the onset and progression of a wide range of diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury through such mechanisms as aerobic glycolysis, oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. This review is intended to provide an overview of the biological characteristics of PKM2 and its role in the pathophysiological mechanisms of neurological disorders. A better understanding of the correlations between PKM2 and the development of neurological diseases can offer new insights into and references for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of these conditions.