Adult adipose stromal cells are accessible, numerous, show multipotent differentiation potential and low immunogenicity, and are not subjected to ethical issues. Additionally, they can be induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells and astrocytes in vitro through addition of β-mercaptoethanol and 0.5% anhydrous ethanol. Neuron-like cells derived from adult adipose stromal cells can migrate into the brain through the blood-brain barrier and display a neural cell phenotype. The survival time of these cells in the host is influenced by the early steady state and the occurrence of apoptosis. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells introduced into the brain via intravenous transplantation can migrate to the damaged cortex in rats with traumatic brain injury, promoting the secretion of nerve growth factor and the rehabilitation and improvement of cognitive function.
In this issue of NRR, four studies assess the morphology and function of adipose stromal cells and their effects on cognitive function in animal models after differentiation into neuron-like cells and astrocytes. These studies provide a better understanding of the mechanism underlying differentiation of adipose stromal cells into neuron-like cells.

? Apoptosis during β-mercaptoethanol-induced differentiation of adult adipose-derived stromal cells into neurons
Neural Regen Res. 2011;6(11):750-755.
       
? A novel ethanol-based method to induce differentiation of adipose-derived stromal cells into astrocytes
Neural Regen Res. 2011;6(11):738-743.

? Cognitive improvement following transvenous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in a rat model of traumatic brain injury
Neural Regen Res. 2011;6(11):732-737.

? Ultrastructure of neuronal-like cells differentiated from adult adipose-derived stromal cells
Neural Regen Res. 2010;5(19):1456-1463.