Silent information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), a product of the so called "longevity gene", is a protein deacetylase that has been reported to suppress cardiovascular pathologies such as myocardial infarction, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease via anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, or increasing mitochondrial biogenesis in model organisms. In addition, SIRT1 can counter cerebral hypoperfusion and ischemia through deacetylating anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic molecules and also through deacetylating endothelial nitric oxide synthase and inducing arterial dilation. Since cerebral hypoperfusion/ischemia, inflammation, and apoptosis can induce vascular cognitive impairment, SIRT1 potentiation may provide molecular targets for future therapeutic intervention of vascular cognitive impairment and cerebral infarction.