The invention relates to methods for inducing marrow stromal cells to differentiate into neural cells by way of increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP. The invention also encompasses methods of producing a neural cell by causing a marrow stromal cell to differentiate into a neural cell by increasing intracellular levels of cyclic AMP. Methods for treating a human patient in need of neural cells are also disclosed, as well as methods for treating a human patient having a disease, condition, or disorder of the central nervous system.