AIM To detect abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression in type 1 gastric neuroendocrine neoplasms (g-NENs) and find potential target genes. METHODS Tumour tissues from patients with type 1 g-NENs were used as experimental samples, and gastric mucosal tissues from the same patients obtained during gastroscopy review after several months were used as control samples. miRNA expression was examined with Agilent human miRNA chips and validated via RTPCR. Three types of target gene prediction software (TargetScan, PITA, and microRNAorg) were used to predict potential target genes of the differentially expressed miRNAs, and a dual-luciferase reporter assay system was used for verification. RESULTS Six miRNAs were significantly upregulated or down-regulated in the tumours compared to the control samples. Among them, miR-202-3p was extraordinarily upregulated. RT-PCR of seven sample sets confirmed that miR-202-3p was upregulated in tumour tissues. In total, 215 target genes were predicted to be associated with miR-202-3p. Among them, dual-specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) was reported to be closely related to tumour occurrence and development. The dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-202-3p directly regulated DUSP1 in 293T cells. CONCLUSION miR-202-3p is upregulated in type 1 g-NEN lesions and might play important roles in the pathogenesis of type 1 g-NENs by targeting DUSP1.