Neural stem cells (NSCs) are multipotential progeniotr cells, which can generate neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, the three major cell types in the central nervous system. They also have the self-renewal activity and can be expanded in an undifferentiated state in vitro. Due to their capability of multipotency and chemotaxis for lesion site, there has been increasing interest in the identification and characterization of NSCs for therapeutic applications. However some numbers of recent studies demonstrated the existence of endogenous NSCs in adult mammalian central nerve system, their self-repairing activity is very faint. The cause of poor regenerative capability would be included microenvironmental factors that inhibit neurogenesis and axonal regeneration. We have investigated the effect of NSCs transplantation and modification the microenvironment for experimental spinal cord injury. This review will provide an overview of therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic injury, such as Parkinson's disease and spinal cord injury.
