FoxO1-mediated autophagy plays an important role in the neuroprotective effects of hydrogen in a rat model of vascular dementia.

•HRW attenuates learning and memory impairments in a rat model of VD.•HRW attenuates the neuronal apoptosis and autophagy levels in VD rats.•FoxO1-mediated autophagy is partially involved in the protective effects of HRW in VD rats.•Excessive autophagy and apoptosis are both activated 4 weeks after bilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery surgery in rats.