Neuronal precursor cells may provide for cell replacement or gene delivery vehicles in neurodegenerative disease therapy. One impediment to treating neuronal diseases is finding ways to introduce genes into neurons effectively. It is shown here that fiber-modified adenovirus vector delivered gene to neuronal precursor as well as differentiated neuronal cells more efficiently than first-generation adenoviral vector. Moreover, fiber-modified adenoviral vector transduced precursor cells retained the potential for differentiation into neurons and glia in vitro. These results show the potential of modified adenoviral vector in the improved gene delivery to neurons in direct gene therapy protocols. In addition it holds promise for the use of genetically manipulated stem cells for the therapy of neuronal diseases.