Scientists in Lund have pioneered the use of fetal dopamine neurons for transplantation in Parkinson´s Disease. This approach was developed from 1979-1983 in a series of animal experimental studies (publications), followed by more directed pre clinical work (publications) that provided the experimental and methodological basis for the first open-label clinical trials that were initiated at Lund University Hospital in 1987-1989 (publications). The results obtained in the Lund transplantation program have provided proof-of-principle that human fetal midbrain dopamine neurons can survive and function for many years (more than a decade) after transplantation to the striatum in patients with advanced Parkinson´s disease (publications). Although the clinical outcome so far has been highly variable, the trials have provided evidence that grafted dopamine neurons can restore regulated dopamine release and movement-related frontal cortical activation in the transplanted patients, and - at least in some cases - give rise to significant symptomatic relief (publications). The brains from two of the grafted patients in the Lund program, who died 13-16 years after transplantation, have come to autopsy. Microscopic analysis of the 11-16 year old transplants (publications) showed large numbers of surviving dopamine neurons and the expected, widespread reinnervation of the host striatum. In addition, however, the analysis revealed that a portion of the grafted cells had developed the type of alpha-synuclein inclusions, Lewy bodies, that is a hallmark of cells affected by Parkinson´s disease. This striking finding has opened up new avenues for the study of the mechanisms underlying the progressive spread of the disease pathology in the affected brains (publication).
Frågor om innehållet: Sara Freoul
Uppdaterad: 2012-01-09
