In order to provide a basic theory for the materials of repairing central nervous system injury, we have studied the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) on poly (L-lysine) modified silk fibroin film. First, we used poly (L-lysine) to modify silk fibroin film and confirmed by UV–vis and 1H NMR spectra. Then NSCs were isolated and seeded on the silk fibroin film (Silk group), poly (L-lysine) (PLL group) and poly (L-lysine) modified Silk fibroin film (Silk-PIL group). The proliferation of NSCs was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after seeding. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the differentiation of NSCs at the 7th day. The levels of apoptosis were detected by Western blotting and TUNEL. The mRNA level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was identified by real-time PCR. UV–vis and 1H NMR spectra confirmed that poly (L-lysine) was successfully grafted onto the silk fibroin film. From the 3rd day after seeding to the 7th day, the CCK-8 test showed that proliferation rate of NSCs in the Silk-PIL was significantly higher than Silk group (P<0.05) but had no significant difference compared with PLL group (P>0.05). Immunofluorescence staining displayed that more NSCs in Silk-PIL group were differentiated into neuron compared with Silk group (P<0.05), however, there was no significant difference compared with PLL group (P>0.05). The number of NSCs differentiated into astrocytes was not significantly different between the three groups. Western blotting and TUNEL test presented that the degree of apoptosis of NSCs in the Silk-PIL group was significantly lower than Silk group (P<0.05). RT-PCR exhibited that mRNA level of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) of NSCs was higher in Silk-PIL group compared with Silk group (P<0.05) but had no significant difference compared with PLL group (P>0.05). Thus, poly (L-lysine) modified silk fibroin film could promote the proliferation of NSCs and reduce NSCs apoptosis. Furthermore, it also can enhance the differentiation of NSCs into neurons. It is expected to become a new type of tissue engineering scaffold carrying NSCs to repair central nervous system injury.