AIM: To explore the effect of brain ischemia injury on cell proliferation and nestin expression in cortex and subependymal zone (SEZ). METHODS: Using a local brain ischemia model(MCAO), BrdU positive cells of cortex and subependymal zone (SEZ), also nestin positive cells, were observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: BrdU and nestin positive cells in SEZ of MCAO rats were obviously increased. In cortex, only nestin positive cells were observed. CONCLUSION: Neural stem cells in SEZ and cortex were activated after brain ischemia, it may be related with neural recovery after brain ischemia injury.