The role of positron emission tomography in the assessment of human neurotransplantation

Trends Neurosci. 1993 May;16(5):172-6. doi: 10.1016/0166-2236(93)90143-a.

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) using tracers of the dopaminergic system has been used to measure striatal function in a small number of parkinsonian patients undergoing neurotransplantation procedures. Some postoperative scans have shown an unequivocal increase in presynaptic dopaminergic function at the graft site, providing evidence of graft survival independent of clinical assessment. Combined PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images provide the facility to explore the relationship between graft placement, survival and clinical efficacy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / adverse effects
  • Adrenal Medulla / embryology
  • Adrenal Medulla / transplantation*
  • Basal Ganglia / diagnostic imaging*
  • Basal Ganglia / pathology
  • Brain Tissue Transplantation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Tissue Transplantation / pathology
  • Caudate Nucleus
  • Fetal Tissue Transplantation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fetal Tissue Transplantation / pathology
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / pharmacokinetics
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Mesencephalon / embryology
  • Mesencephalon / transplantation*
  • Parkinson Disease / diagnostic imaging
  • Parkinson Disease / surgery*
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / chemically induced
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / diagnostic imaging
  • Parkinson Disease, Secondary / surgery
  • Putamen
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed*
  • Transplantation, Heterotopic*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Levodopa
  • 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine