Autologous adrenal medullary transplant in progressive supranuclear palsy

We transplanted autologous adrenal medullary cells to the caudate nucleus in 3 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy, using the method Madrazo has employed for neural transplantation in Parkinson's disease. Major and minor complications occurred post-operatively from which the patients recovered. One patient had a marked improvement in his postural stability and a decreased incidence of falling. This change was evident at 1 month after surgery and has remained for the 6 months of follow-up. Postural reflexes were not altered in the other 2 patients. There was no change in extraocular movements, speech, or the rigid-bradykinetic features of parkinsonism in any patient. Adrenal medullary transplantation has only limited efficacy in progressive supranuclear palsy.