Editorial: Neural differentiation and neurorestorative effects of mesenchymal stem cells in brain disorders

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as one of the most promising cell population in regenerative medicine due to their multilineage differentiation potential, low immunogenicity and, above all, their broad immunomodulatory and trophic activities. Although MSCs have traditionally been recognized for their ability to differentiate into mesodermal tissues, increasing evidence has demonstrated their neural plasticity and, more importantly, their ability to promote neuroprotection and tissue repair through paracrine mechanisms (Lee et al., 2025; Uccelli et al., 2011; Phinney and Pittenger, 2017). This evolving concept has substantially influenced the development of regenerative strategies to overcome the limited regenerative capacity of the central nervous system. The aim of this Research Topic is to improve our understanding on the biological mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of MSCs in neurological diseases, with particular emphasis on two key aspects: their capacity for neural differentiation and their neuroprotective/neurorestorative properties. This Research Topic include four reviews, two original articles and a case report. The papers address the molecular mechanisms that regulate neural commitment, the comparative analyses of MSCs derived from different tissue sources,theroleofextracellular vesicles mediating therapeutic effects, the innovative strategies to enhance MSC efficacy.