Sex-determining region Y-related high-mobility group box 11 (SOX11) was initially considered as one of the trans-acting factors supporting the differentiation of stem cells and the survival of neural precursors. However, in recent studies, it was found that SOX11 played an important role in the transcriptional regulation of the development, shaping and regeneration of neurons, and it was expected to be a target for the regeneration of injured nerves. This article reviews the physiological and pathophysiological functions of SOX11 in the central nervous system and its role in nerve regeneration.