Described herein are mesenchymal stem cells and populations thereof, which can be used for treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. Methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as ALS, by administering mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) cells that have been induced to secrete at least one neurotrophic factor (NTF), wherein said cell population comprises MSC-NTF cells are described.