Methods and compositions for preventing and treating the damaged and/or degenerating CNS experiencing loss or death of CNS cells. Various embodiments of the invention transport a therapeutically effective amount of, inter alia, at least one therapeutic cell to the CNS by intranasal application to the upper-third of the nasal cavity, thereby bypassing the blood-brain barrier. A pharmaceutical composition according to the invention may comprise at least one therapeutic cell, at least one delivery-enhancement agent, at least one antibiotic, at least one regulatory factor and/or at least one immunosuppressive agent, wherein the composition is delivered to the upper-third of the nasal cavity. The therapeutic cells, once delivered to the CNS, migrate preferentially to the area of damage or degeneration or injury.
