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Abstract:  2002 Apr 3

Autologous transplantation of adult human neural stem cells and differentiated dopaminergic neurons for ParkinsonÕs disease: one-year post-operative clinical and functional metabolic results.

Author(s):  
michel F levesque, MD,
Toomas Neuman, Ph.D

Introduction: The progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons innervating the striatum is the major cause of idiopathic ParkinsonÕs Disease , , . Cellular striatal transplants using human fetal mesencephalic tissue provides some long lasting clinical benefits , , , but carries inherent risks of immunological reaction , and infectious transmission, in addition to ethical concerns . Other source of dopaminergic cells, such as porcine embryonic neurons and encapsulated neuroendocrine cell present additional limitations , . Here we present the results of the first human autologous transplantation of neural stem cells and stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons. Methods: After undergoing a cerebral biopsy, a patientÕs neural stem cells were isolated and expanded in vitro for several months. Dopaminergic differentiation was achieved using epigenetic factors in 15% of neuronal cells before transplantation. Cell suspensions were transplanted unilaterally into the left putamen. DOPA-PET studies and neurological evaluations were performed pre-operatively and post-operatively. Results: At one year post-transplantation, total clinical scores improved by 83%. Motor scores improved by 88% when ÒoffÓ medication, with significant improvements in rigidity, bradykinesia and control of tremor. F-DOPA PET studies showed a 55.6% increase in dopamine uptake in the left putamen at three months post-operatively. Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that autologous transplantation of neural stem cell-derived dopamine-producing cells may be an effective restorative therapy for ParkinsonÕs Disease

Keywords:
Article ID: 12096

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