Devices and methods for treating diseases associated with loss of neuronal function by cell replacement therapy are described. The methods are designed to promote proliferation, differentiation, migration, or integration of exogenous stem cells transplanted into the central nervous system (CNS). A therapy, such as an electrical signal or a stem cell enhancing agent, or a combination of therapies, is applied to a CNS region having damaged neuronal tissues, into which region exogenous stem cells are transplanted. A therapy may also be applied to a second region of the CNS to which neurons from the damaged CNS region are expected to project. The exogenous stem cells may be transfected with an electrically responsive genetic construct comprising an electrically responsive promoter and a target gene. Expression of the target gene, which may encode a gene product that promotes proliferation, differentiation, migration, or integration of the exogenous stem cell, may be closely controlled by application of an electrical signal.
Administration of growth factors for neurogenesis and gliagenesis