Neurons transplanted into Parkinson's-affected brains appear healthy after 14 years

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-06/cp-nti052914.php

PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 5-Jun-2014
Contact: Mary Beth O'Leary
Cell Press
Neurons transplanted into Parkinson's-affected brains appear healthy after 14 years

When transplanted into the midbrains of adult patients with Parkinson's disease, dopamine neurons derived from fetal tissue can remain healthy for many years. The findings reported in the Cell Press journal Cell Reports on June 5th suggest that transplanted neurons don't degenerate over time as some had suggested and feared they would, which provides further rationale for pursuing stem cells as a source for transplant-ready dopamine neurons, according to the researchers.

"Our findings show a robust expression of dopamine transporters and a lack of abnormal mitochondrial morphology in implanted dopamine neurons for at least 14 years after transplantation," said Ole Isacson of Harvard University and McLean Hospital. "Our data therefore suggest that transplanted dopamine neurons can remain healthy and functional for decades."

The tremors and other motor symptoms that characterize Parkinson's disease result from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in part of the midbrain. Neuron transplantation can replace failing neurons with healthy ones from a donor source, but there were questions about the health of those transplanted cells over time.

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The researchers say they now hope to advance on alternative sources for dopamine neurons, particularly from induced pluripotent stem cells made from a patient's own cells.

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