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FETAL BRAIN TISSUE GRAFTS AS THERAPY FOR BRAIN DYSFUNCTIONS: SOME PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL ISSUES

Stein, Donald G. and Glasier, Marylou M. (1995) FETAL BRAIN TISSUE GRAFTS AS THERAPY FOR BRAIN DYSFUNCTIONS: SOME PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL ISSUES.

Short Abstract:

Grafting embryonic neural tissue into the brains of adult patients is currently being used to treat Parkinson's disease and is being given serious consideration as therapy for a variety of other degenerative and traumatic disorders. This target article evaluates the use of transplants to promote recovery from brain injury and highlights the kinds of questions and problems that must be addressed before this form of therapy is routinely applied. It has been argued that neural transplantation can promote functional recovery through the replacement of damaged nerve cells, the reestablishment of specific nerve pathways lost as a result of injury, the release of specific neurotransmitters, or the production of factors that promote neuronal growth. The latter two mechanisms, which need not rely on anatomical connections to the host brain, are open to examination through nonsurgical, less intrusive therapy. Subjective judgments in selecting which patients will receive grafts and in assessing the outcome of graft therapy make evaluation of the procedure methodologically difficult. In addition, little long-term assessment of transplant efficacy and effect has been done in nonhuman primates. Carefully controlled human studies, with multiple testing paradigms, are also needed to establish the efficacy of transplant therapy.

Long Abstract:

Grafting embryonic neural tissue into the brains of adult patients is currently being used to treat Parkinson's disease and is being given serious consideration as therapy for a variety of other degenerative and traumatic disorders. This target article evaluates the use of transplants to promote recovery from brain injury and highlights the kinds of questions and problems that must be addressed before this form of therapy is routinely applied. It has been argued that neural transplantation can promote functional recovery through the replacement of damaged nerve cells, the reestablishment of specific nerve pathways lost as a result of injury, the release of specific neurotransmitters, or the production of factors that promote neuronal growth. The latter two mechanisms, which need not rely on anatomical connections to the host brain, are open to examination through nonsurgical, less intrusive therapy. Subjective judgments in selecting which patients will receive grafts and in assessing the outcome of graft therapy make evaluation of the procedure methodologically difficult. In addition, little long-term assessment of transplant efficacy and effect has been done in nonhuman primates. Carefully controlled human studies, with multiple testing paradigms, are also needed to establish the efficacy of transplant therapy.

Keywords:	Brain damage; functional recovery; grafts; neural grafts; neural transplants
Subjects:	BBS Special Issues: Controversies in Neuroscience: II - Neural Transplantation Neuroscience: Neuroanatomy Neuroscience: Neurochemistry
ID code:	bbs00000476
Deposited by:	Donald G Stein on 01 May 2001