Diffusion-weighted imaging（DWI） is a noninvasive technique for measuring the diffusion of water molecules in living tissue. It can not only provide a tissue contrast different from conventional magnetic resonance imaging（MRI），but also obtain quantitative parameters to indirectly evaluate pathological changes in organs or tissues. Based on these advantages of DWI sequences，scholars have tried to apply it in MRI qualitative diagnosis，differential diagnosis，and evaluation of treatment outcomes of central nervous system，breast，liver，rectum，uterus，prostate，and other organ diseases. It has achieved encouraging results in the central nervous system disorders. In this article，we review the research status and advances in the application value of hyperintensity on DWI and apparent diffusion coefficient in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of central nervous system disorders.