The hormones at the centre of the Australian sports doping scandal are being investigated for their potential to treat Parkinson's disease.
Australian scientists are exploring the use of peptides, which help human cells to repair and regenerate, to combat the degenerative nerve illness.
Parkinson's disease occurs when the cells that produce the chemical dopamine die or become damaged. It is characterised by involuntary shaking and muscle stiffness.
Deakin University researcher Richard Williams, who is working with scientists from the Australian National University and the Florey Neuroscience Institute, said peptides could be used to effectively build a new brain. He said the team had already created the tissue structure needed for cells to grow.
The project aims to combine this tissue with a patient's own stem cells to regenerate dopamine cells.
''We expect that when implanted, the material and stem cells would be accepted by the brain as normal tissue and grow to replace the damaged or dead cells,'' Dr Williams said. He said the creation of the tissue structure also had the potential to treat parts of the body which struggle to repair themselves, such as heart cells.
''Ultimately, it will be like taking your car to the garage to have new parts fitted to replace the worn-out ones,'' he said.
An Australian Crime Commission report last month identified widespread misuse of prohibited peptides in professional sport.