Research published in Nature Medicine has demonstrated dual benefits of carbon monoxide (CO) in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The researchers found that the CO-releasing molecule CORM-3 decreased pericyte death in the injured mice. A resulting increase in crosstalk between pericytes and neural stem cells led to induction of neurogenesis. The CORM-3-treated mice also showed enhanced neurological recovery, as determined by a range of behavioural and motor tasks. The results suggest that CO warrants further investigation as a possible therapy for TBI.