While neural stem cells partially activate in response to tissue damage, full activation occurs only in a small fraction of stem cells. However, results of the study published in the journal Developmental Cell may help stimulate regeneration for severe head trauma and strokes.

"We have revealed how neural stem cells sense injury and are recruited for tissue repair. These findings may be the first step towards developing drugs to promote the formation of new neurons following brain damage," said Champalimaud Foundation's Christa Rhiner, PhD, the study's senior author.