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. Mo tor coordination and balance was evaluated in young (5-6 month) and ag ed (24-25 month) rats. Compared to the young animals, the aged animals fell more rapidly from a rotating rod and were unable to maintain the ir balance on a series of wooden beams of varying widths. 3. Following baseline testing, aged animals received either no implant, empty caps ules or PC12 cell-loaded capsules implanted bilaterally into the stria tum.4. Three weeks following surgery, animals were re-tested and a sig nificant improvement in balance on the rotorod and wooden beams was ob served in those aged animals receiving PC12 cell-loaded capsules. No i mprovements or decrements in performance were observed in those animal s receiving empty. Histological analysis revealed the presence of surv iving tyrosine hydroxylase-positive PC12 cells randomly distributed wi thin the capsules.