Fetal neurotransplantation for parkinsons disease: Results after eight years

Since November 1988, we have performed embryonic mesencephalic transplants in 26 patients, 18 males and 8 females, with a mean age of 58 and duration of Parkinson's disease of 14 years. Most patients have received bilateral putamenal implants (24/26) with tissue from one to six embryos 7 to 8 weeks post conception. The current surgical approach uses needle passes through the forehead. Activities for Daily Living scores provided the best clinical measure of patient outcome. At one year after transplant, this value fell 30% in the "off" state and 40% in the "on" state. L-dopa doses were reduced an average of 40% and one patient discontinued all medication by 18 months after surgery. Pre and postoperative ¹⁸fluorodopa PET scans have been obtained in 10 patients with 8/10 showing improved putamenal uptake bilaterally. Complications included one death from brain hemorrhage. There have been no complications from the frontal approach (n=9).