Transplantation of Autologous Superior Cervical Ganglion into the Brain of Parkinsonian Monkeys

Abstract

Autologous transplantation of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) into the caudate nuclei of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-induced parkinsonian monkey was studied in regard to animal behavior and catecholamine (CA) metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid. Monkeys which had undergone autotransplantation of the SCG revealed an apparent improvement in motor activity. The homovanillic acid content in cerebrospinal fluid increased following the SCG transplantation and was correlated with an increase in motor activity. CA histofluorescence studies confirmed the long-term survival of the SCG graft in which many CA fibers and cells were observed. The present experiment indicates that dopamine released from the graft improved the symptoms of parkinsonism in the monkey.

Measurement of motor disability in MPTP-treated macaques using a telemetry system for estimating circadian motor activity

“…The significant decrease in locomotor activity observed after MPTP administration (Fig. 4) was also in a similar range to that previously reported (Almirall et al, 1999(Almirall et al, , 2001Nakai et al, 1990).…”

Tracking extranigral degeneration in animal models of Parkinson’s disease: quest for effective therapeutic strategies

“…2004). Such investigations were initiated in 1990 with MPTP‐treated monkeys, and animal behavior was quantified (Nakai et al. 1990).…”

“…Autologous sympathetic ganglionic neurons were tested for efficacy as donors for cell therapy in PD patients (Nakao et al 2004). Such investigations were initiated in 1990 with MPTP-treated monkeys, and animal behavior was quantified (Nakai et al 1990). The superior cervical ganglion has been grafted into the brain of adult rats with an attempt to reverse the parkinsonian syndrome that follows destruction of central DA systems (Nakao et al 1995); however, massive cell death largely limited the process (Nakao et al 1995;Pallini et al 1996).…”

Enhancement of the response to levodopa therapy after intrastriatal transplantation of autologous sympathetic neurons in patients with Parkinson disease

“…The mean daily dose of levodopa was 700 Ϯ 115 mg/ day. All patients consented to undergo graft placement surgery after being informed of: 1) the potential risks of the surgical procedure; 2) the rationale for grafting sympathetic neurons in patients with PD, based on the experimental evidence; 25,[41][42][43] and 3) the possible lack of clinical benefit derived from the grafting. The entire process of the surgical procedure was approved by the ethics committee of Wakayama Medical University.…”

“…It has been proven that autologous sympathetic ganglion tissue implanted in the striatum survives and improves motor deficits, including the drug-induced circling behavior and hypokinetic disorders seen in rodent and nonhuman primate models of PD. 25,[41][42][43] The results of animal studies prompted us to commence clinical trials in 1990 in which we autografted J. Neurosurg. / Volume 95 / August, 2001Object.…”