Stem cells and combination therapy for the treatment of traumatic brain injury

•This review covers existing treatments in TBI therapy, with a focus on their potential applications to improve the functional outcomes of TBI•Complex pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of TBI are reviewed.•Stem cell therapy as an optimal solution to treat TBIis reviewed, including endogenous or exogenous stem cells from embryonic, induced pluripotent, mesenchymal, and neural origin.•Combination therapy is discussed as a novel method to treat TBI. Two approaches are highlighted, growth factors and ROCK inhibitors.•Emphasis is given for improvements in motor and cognitive functions after stem cell therapy.