A LONG-TERM FOLLOW-UP OF FETAL DOPAMINERGIC-NEURONS TRANSPLANTATION INTO THE BRAIN OF 3 PARKINSONIAN-PATIENTS

In three parkinsonian patients ages 48, 53, and 50, human fetal dopami nergic cells taken from the ventral part of mesencephalon of 11-12-wee k-old fetuses were implanted into the head of caudate nucleus. The ope ration was carried out with a specially designed device to enable safe and precise graft implantation. All patients had been suffering from severe Parkinson's disease for about 10-15 years (stage 4/5 according to Hoehn and Yahr scale) with bradykinesia, rigidity and tremor as the main symptoms. Long-lasting L-dopa therapy resulted in side effects w ith ON/OFF syndrome and dyskinesias. A detailed clinical examination w as performed before and every 3 months after the operation according t o the CAPIT battery of standarized tests. The patients were under post -operational observation lasting 30, 20 and 12 months, respectively. I mprovement was observed in all patients starting between 3 and 6 month s after operation and is still sustained. Significant increases in mov ement speed for repeated pronation-supination, finger dexterity and fo ot lifting tests were found. The speed of walking also increased with decreased rigidity. The OFF phase during the day is of shorter duratio n and less severe; dyskinesias are markedly reduced. Our results indic ate that fetal grafting seems to be a valuable experimental approach t owards the treatment of selected parkinsonian patients.