Poly- (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) -polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are a novel group of small molecule targeted therapeutic drugs. It has become an effective treatment for ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer carrying BRCA1/2 mutations. Studies have demonstrated that PARP inhibitors (PARPi) can improve treatment outcomes by targeting genetic defects in tumors with synergistic effects with standard therapies for glioma treatment, such as increasing radiation sensitivity and overcoming temozolomide resistance. However, the limited blood-brain barrier permeability, the adverse reactions of drug combination and the occurrence of drug resistance are the key factors affecting the therapeutic effect. This article reviews the mechanism of action and research progress of PARP inhibitors involved in the treatment of brain glioma, and analyzes the challenges to be faced in clinical practice, in order to provide references for future research in this field.