Specific binding members, particularly human antibodies, particularly recombinant antibodies, and fragments thereof, which are capable of binding to and recognizing neurons in the CNS and eliciting responses in CNS neurons are provided. The antibodies are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with nerve damage, injury or degeneration and neurodegenerative disease, and in particular in the treatment or alleviation of stroke or cerebral ischemia. The antibodies, variable regions or CDR domain sequences thereof, and fragments thereof of the invention may also be used in therapy in combination with chemotherapeutics, immune modulators, or neuroactive agents and/or with other antibodies or fragments thereof. The antibodies or active fragments thereof may be used in therapy for stroke or cerebral ischemia alone or in combination with thrombolytics such as TPA. Antibodies are exemplified by the antibodies IgM12 and IgM42 whose sequences are provided herein.
