OBJECTIVE: To study the protocol that induces adult rat bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) to express neuron specific enolase (NSE) in vitro. METHODS: MSCs were preinduced with β mercaptoethanol for 24 h, and then induced for 5 h. The positive percentages of NSE protein expression were measured by immunocytochemistry SABC staining. RESULTS: After the induction, MSCs displayed neuronal morphologies, such as pyramidal cell bodies and processes which formed extensive networks. The positive percentage of NSE protein expression was ( 63.7 ± 4.5 )%. CONCLUSIONS: β mercaptoethanol may induce adult rat MSCs to NSE positive cells in vitro.