BACKGROUND:: Differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) was mediated by many factors. Several factors could induce NSCs to differentiate into neurons in varying degrees and it is now a focus on the control of NSCs differentiation. OBJECTIVE:: To study the effects of combination of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) on the differentiation of adult rat hippocampal NSCs into neurons. METHODS:: The rat brain hippocampus was removed sterilely. Cell suspension was prepared and diluted when the diameter of the fourth passage of clone sphere was 200 μm by mixture of DMEM/F12 containing 2% B27, 20 μg/L epidermal growth factor (EGF) and 20 μg/L bFGF. Monoclonal cells were passaged. NSCs were divided into blank control, bFGF, NGF and bFGF+NGF groups. Immunocytochemistry for identification of NSCs was done to detect positive rate of neuron specific enolase (NSE) and the differentiation of NSCs into neurons. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:: ①The monoclonal cells expressed nestin and the differentiated cells expressed NSE and glial fibrillary acidic protein. ②The proportions of NSE-positive cells in bFGF group, NGF group and bFGF+NGF group were much higher than in blank control group (P < 0.05), with the highest in bFGF+NGF group (P < 0.05). These indicate that bFGF and NGF can elevate the differentiation of NSCs into neurons, and their combination obtains better outcomes.Tong L, Ji LL, Xie DL, Gao H, Tong XJ. Combination of basic fibroblast growth factor and nerve growth factor affects the differentiation of adult rat hippocampal neural stem cells into neuron-like cells.Zhongguo Zuzhi Gongcheng Yanjiu yu Linchuang Kangfu. 2011;15(1): 74-77. [http://www.crter.cn http://en.zglckf.com]