Intrastriatal implants of polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells: effects on motor function in aged rats

1. The feasibility of ameliorating the motor deficits in aged rats was evaluated in animals receiving polymer-encapsulated PC12 cells. 2. Motor coordination and balance was evaluated in young (5-6 month) and aged (24-25 month) rats. Compared to the young animals, the aged animals fell more rapidly from a rotating rod and were unable to maintain their balance on a series of wooden beams of varying widths. 3. Following baseline testing, aged animals received either no implant, empty capsules or PC12 cell-loaded capsules implanted bilaterally into the striatum. 4. Three weeks following surgery, animals were re-tested and a significant improvement in balance on the rotorod and wooden beams was observed in those aged animals receiving PC12 cell-loaded capsules. No improvements or decrements in performance were observed in those animals receiving empty. Histological analysis revealed the presence of surviving tyrosine hydroxylase-positive PC12 cells randomly distributed within the capsules.