Stem cells may protect the brain and nervous system against damage from tumours and conditions such as multiple sclerosis, researchers at Milan's San Raffaele Scientific Institute found.
Experiments with mice with a disease similar to multiple sclerosis showed that stem cells injected into the blood stream migrated to inflamed areas in the brain and spinal cord, killing inflammatory cells, the researchers said.
This means a single injection of stem cells could be used to treat many different areas of damage in the body, reducing the clinical signs of the disease.
The researchers said the stem cells could also potentially be used as a natural anti-inflammatory drug to treat damage by diseases such as stroke, brain tumours, and spinal cord injuries.