Methods are described for the isolation and selection of a heterogeneous bone marrow cell population called NCS 01 that is effective at treating neurodegeneration. For example NCS 01 cells are shown to treat neurodegeneration caused by ischemia. studies demonstrate that selected NCS 01 cell populations treat neurodegeneration in a standard rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) animal model under conditions of transient or permanent total arterial occlusion. These studies also disclose that when the neurodegeneration is caused by ischemic stroke combining the administration of a selected NCS 01 cell population with thrombolytic agents and/or mechanical methods of clot removal leads to a decrease in the volume of infarction caused by acute onset neurodegeneration. The disclosed cell therapy promises to make a significant clinical impact on patient survival after stroke.
