1Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
2Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
3Molecular Pharmacology Department, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
4Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
5GeneGrafts Ltd, Haifa, Israel
Corresponding author: Yair Feld. E-mail: yairfeld@gmail.com

Abstract 

Recent studies have shown that fibroblast transplantation can modify the activity of basal ganglia networks in models of Parkinson’s disease. To determine its effects on parkinsonian motor symptoms, we performed autologous dermal fibroblast transplantation into the internal pallidum (GPi) in two parkinsonian rhesus monkeys with stable levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs). Levodopa responses were assessed every week after transplantation for three months. A reduction of between 58% and 64% in total LIDs on the contralateral side was observed in both animals. No clear LID changes were observed on the ipsilateral side. These effects lasted the entire 3-month period in one monkey, but declined after 6–8 weeks in the other. The antiparkinsonian effects of levodopa did not diminish. The results of this pilot study indicate that fibroblast transplantation into the GPi may have beneficial effects on LIDs and warrant further investigation for potential therapeutic use.

Keywords

globus pallidum; autologous; levodopa; antiparkinsonian; monkeys

[SpringerLink]