The effect of fetal mesencephalon implants on primate MPTP-induced parkinsonism : histochemical and behavioral studies

Parkinsonism or hemiparkinsonism was induced by administration of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) in four rhesus monkeys, which then received homologous fetal mesencephalon implants into the caudate nuclei. These results suggest that the mechanism of recovery of parkinsonian primates after implantation of fetal dopaminergic tissue into the caudate nucleus is by stimulation of sprouting from host neurons. They also suggest that, with identification of the factors responsible for the formation of the new dopaminergic neuronal processes and with further development, tissue implantation may be an effective therapy for Parkinson's disease in humans