A Northern Territory research centre has claimed a world first in discovering that the brain can completely recover from damage caused from petrol sniffing.

The Menzies School of Health Research says brain damage in chronic low-level petrol sniffers is not permanent.

Researcher Sheree Cairney says former petrol sniffers can regain their ability to concentrate, remember, learn and control their emotions.

"We've studied people who have abstained from petrol sniffing for up to two years," she said.

"This is the first exciting evidence showing that people who do have this sort of brain damage can recover with abstinence and they may even recover completely if the level of impairment is not too significant."