Transplantation of cultured human neuronal cells for patients with stroke

Transplantation of cultured neuronal cells is safe in animal models and imp roves motor and cognitive deficits in rats with stroke. The authors studied the safety and feasibility of human neuronal cellular transplantation in p atients with basal ganglia stroke and fixed motor deficits, including 12 pa tients (aged 44 to 75 years) with an infarct 6 months to 6 years previously (stable for at least 2 months). Serial evaluations (12 to 18 months) showe d no adverse cell-related serologic or imaging-defined effects. The total E uropean Stroke Scale score improved in six patients (3 to 10 points), with a mean improvement 2.9 points in all patients (p = 0.046). Six of 11 PET sc ans at 6 months showed improved fluorodeoxyglucose uptake at the implant si te. Neuronal transplantation is feasible in patients with motor infarction.