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Objective: Neural stem cells (NSCs) are suitable therapeutic candidates. Here, we compare the proliferation rate,differentiation potential, and expression levels of specific markers in two groups of cultured NSCs derived from ratsubgranular (SGZ) and subventricular (SVZ) zones.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, NSCs isolated from SGZ and SVZ were cultured in α-minimalessential medium (α-MEM) supplemented with 1% penicillin/streptomycin, 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 20 ng/mlbasic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), 20 ng/ml epidermal growth factor (EGF), and B27 supplement. Glial fibrillaryacidic protein (Gfap), p75 neurotrophin receptor (Ngfr), tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA), beta-tubulin III (βTIII), andNestin gene levels were compared via reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in these NSCs.Nestin and Gfap protein levels were compared by immunoassay. Subsequently, both populations were induced with10-8 M selegiline for 48 hours, followed by immunohistochemical analysis of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels. One-wayANOVA and Tukey’s post-test were used with a significance level of P<0.05.Results: Both groups were successfully expanded in vitro and expressed the neurotrophin receptor genes. The SGZNSCshad a significantly higher proliferation rate and significantly higher numbers of Nestin and Gfap-positive cells.Although the majority of selegiline-induced NSCs were TH-positive, we observed more TH-positive cells in SGZ-derivedNSCs and these SGZ-NSCs displayed a shorter differentiation time.Conclusion: SGZ-derived NSCs appear to be a more appropriate candidate for therapeutic purposes based onproliferation rate, neurosphere size, and Gfap and Nestin expression levels, as well as differentiation time and THexpression level after dopaminergic induction.