In this review, we provide recent data on the role of mTOR kinase in the brain under physiological conditions and after damage, with a particular focus on cerebral ischemia. We cover the upstream and downstream pathways that regulate the activation state of mTOR complexes. Furthermore, we summarize recent advances in our understanding of mTORC1 and mTORC2 status in ischemia–hypoxia at tissue and cellular levels and analyze the existing evidence related to two types of neural cells, namely glia and neurons. Finally, we discuss the potential use of mTORC1 and mTORC2 as therapeutic targets after stroke., This article was funded by grant from Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through grant PID2020-115876GB-I00. G.M.-L. is supported by a grant from Fundación Tatiana Pérez de Guzmán el Bueno. The funders had no role in decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript