Development of human striatal anlagen after transplantation in a patient with Huntington's disease

Exp Neurol. 2008 Sep;213(1):241-4. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2008.06.003. Epub 2008 Jun 14.

Abstract

Replacement of damaged neuronal population by fetal tissue transplantation represents a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Consistent success has been achieved with fetal striatal transplantation in Huntington's disease animal models and patients. We report the neo-generation of metabolically active tissue with striatum-like imaging features after transplantation of striatal primordia in a patient with Huntington's disease. This study represents the first "in vivo" demonstration that a human striatal anlagen, transplanted into the adult human brain, is able to progress in its development and to generate a new anatomical structure in the host, without evidence of neoplasia or teratoma.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brain Tissue Transplantation / methods*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Corpus Striatum / embryology*
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism
  • Corpus Striatum / transplantation*
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Female
  • Fetal Tissue Transplantation / methods*
  • Functional Laterality / physiology
  • Graft Survival / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Huntington Disease / pathology
  • Huntington Disease / physiopathology
  • Huntington Disease / therapy*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Neuronavigation
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Stereotaxic Techniques
  • Treatment Outcome