Objective In our previous study,we had proposed that in the upper stream of the known ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) signal pathway there might exist a new way mediating the protective action of CNTF on hippocampal neurons.The present study is aimed to observe the neuroprotective action of the CNTF non-classic signal pathway and explore the possible action mechanism.Methods We used primary culture of hippocampal neurons,continuous photography and counting of living cells,determination of the concentration of free intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i)in living cells,histochemical stain of hippocampal neuron CNTF receptor subunit gp130 and whole cell patch-clamp recording techniques in a hippocampal neuron injury model induced by glutamate (Glu) ion receptor agonist N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) where the known CNTF signal pathway was blocked by protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibior-2 (PTPi-2),a Janus protein tyrosine kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (AK/STAT) blocker.