Objective To investigate the expression levels of BDNF, trkB and ChAT mRNA and proteins in the brain of adult tree shrews(Tupaia belangeri). Methods Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to detect the expression levels of BDNF, trkB and ChAT mRNA in the hippocampus, basal ganglia and frontal cortex of adult tree shrews. The expression levels of BDNF, trkB and ChAT proteins and β-actin was used as internal standard. Results The expression level of BDNF mRNA was highest in the hippocampus of adult tree shrew, and there were significant differences between that in the hippocampus, and basal ganglia and frontal cortex(P<0.01). The expression level of trkB mRNA was higher in the frontal cortex than in the basal ganglia and hippocampus, showing a significant difference between them(P<0.05). The expression level of BDNF protein was significantly higher in the basal ganglia than in the hippocampus or frontal cortex(P<0.01). There were no significant difference(P>0.05) in the expressions of trkB protein among the hippocampus, basal ganglia and frontal cortex of the adult tree shrews. There were no significant differences in expressions of ChAT mRNA and protein among the hippocampus, basal ganglia and frontal cortex in adult tree shrews(P>0.05). Conclusions The expression levels of ChAT mRNA were consistent with that of ChAT protein in the hippocampus, basal ganglia and frontal cortex of adult tree shrews, while the expression levels of BDNF and trkB mRNA were not consistent with their proteins, which might indicate that the transcriptional regulation pattern might be more complex. Tree shrew is a valuable animal model in the study of mechanism of BDNF/trkB gene expression.