In summary, acupuncture exerts an inhibitory effect on apoptosis by modulating the FNDC5/BDNF and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, facilitating astrocyte activation for neuroprotection, and engaging diverse mechanisms and cellular pathways in the pathogenesis of apoptosis following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The gene discussed is BDNF; the disease is brain ischemia.