Cell transplantation to the brain and spinal cord is a well-established research tool for studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms, but can it be developed into a useful therapuetic approach in human neurological disorders? Clinical trials in patients with Parkinson's disease have provided encouraging evidence, however, no treatment based on transplantation is available yet. An overview of current research is given in this book. It summarizes the status of grafting in humans and discusses scientific problems that have to be solved before intracerebral transplantation can become a useful routine approach to treatment.

References

Transplantation in Parkinson's Disease
Experimental Studies in Animal Models of Parkinson's Disease
Clinical Studies in Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Research Strategies for the Development of a Transplantation Therapy in Parkinson's Disease
Conclusions
References
Transplantation in Huntington's Disease: Experimental Basis and Clinical Perspectives
Experimental Model
Implants of Fetal Striatal Primordia
Intrinsic Organization of the Striatal Grafts
Biochemical Markers of Striatal Graft Maturation and Function
Amelioration of Lesion-Induced Behavioral Deficits
Mechanisms of Action of the Intrastriatal Grafts
Afferent Regulation of the Grafted Neurons
Trophic Effects of Striatal Transplants
Studies in Primates
Clinical Perspectives
References
Neural Transplantation in Dementia
Common Terminology in Research on Alzheimer's Disease
Models of Cholinergic Deficiency
Models of Trophic Factor Deficiency
Critical Neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease
Graft Models of the Cellular Pathology of Alzheimer's Disease
Clinical Prospects in Dementia
References
Transplantation in Experimental Epilepsy
Noradrenergic Grafts in Experimental Epilepsy
Other Grafts in Experimental Epilepsy
Present Lines of Research and Clinical Perspectives
Concluding Remarks
References
Genetically Modified Cells for Intracerebral Transplantation
Genetically Modified Cells and the Neurotrophic Strategy
Genetically Modified Cells for Neurotransmitter Replacement
Discussion and Future Directions
References
Immunologic Aspects of Intracerebral CNS Tissue Transplantation
General Aspects of Transplantation Immunology
The Brain as a Transplantation Site
Immunologic Experience of IntracerebralTransplantation in Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Conclusions
References.