Objective To explore whether Islet-1 gene of the rat could induce NSCs to differentiate into cholinergic neurons. Methods NSCs were transduced with Islet-1 recombinant retroviral expression vector. The protein expression of Islet-1 gene in NSCs was detected by immunofluorescence histochemical method. The ability of NSCs to differentiate into ChAT positive cells was observed in vivo and in vitro. Results The numbers of ChAT positive cells were significantly increased in the group of NSCs modified with Islet-1 compared with the control group in vitro. NSCs mdified with Islet-1 could differentiate into ChAT positive cells when they were grafted into the corpus striatum of the adult rat brain. Conclusion Islet-1 gene could induc