Endogenous stem cells can be induced and show neuroprotective effects by chemical compounds and factors stimulating stem cells such as allopregnanolone (Apα), fluoxetine, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), AMD3100 and stromal cell-derived factor-1a (SDF-1α). Apα induced endogenous neural precursor cells (NPCs) activation and promoted survival of newly generated cells showing significantly increased BrdU+ cells as well as improvement of learning and memory in 3xTg alzheimers disease mice.