Objective To evaluate the effect of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 1 (NMNA T1) gene on vitality of cultured mouse neurons.Methods Culture of primary mouse neurons in vitro was set up and the neurons were divided into normal control group,NMNA T1 over-expression group and knocking down of NMNA T1 by RNA interference group; the expression level of NMNA T1 in the three groups were detected,and then the vitality of neurons was tested by MTT assay.Results As compared with that in the normal control group,the NMNA T1 over-expression group had increased neuronal vitality,while knocking down of NMNA T1 by RNA interference group had decreased neuronal vitality in vitro,with significant differences (P=0.025,P=0.027).Conclusion There is a novel role for NMNA T1 in the morphogenesis of developing neurons,which indicates that the loss of function of NMNA T1 may contribute to different neurodegenerative disorders in central nervous system.