[Transplantation of fetal dopaminergic cells in Parkinson disease]

Four patients with severe form of Parkinson's disease received transplantation of fetal dopaminergic cells into the caput of the caudate nucleus. The operation was done by an original method using a device designed specially for this purpose. In all cases the duration of the disease was 10 to 15 years, and the predominating signs were tremor, bradykinesia, and markedly pronounced side effects of the treatment (on-off syndrome and involuntary movements). One patients died 5 weeks after the operation. Autopsy demonstrated good survival of the transplanted cells with good integration with the brain of the recipient and traces of positive immunocytochemical reaction for tyrosine hydroxylase. In the other patients a significant clinical improvement was noted after the operation, with reduced intensity of parkinsonian symptomatology, shortening of the duration of the off phase, improved motor ability and reduced intensity of the involuntary movements. The longest follow-up was 24 months.