title: The role of positron emission tomography in the assessment of human neurotransplantation.
abstract: Positron emission tomography (PET) using tracers of the dopaminergic system has been used to measure striatal function in a small number of parkinsonian patients undergoing neurotransplantation procedures. Some postoperative scans have shown an unequivocal increase in presynaptic dopaminergic function at the graft site, providing evidence of graft survival independent of clinical assessment. Combined PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images provide the facility to explore the relationship between graft placement, survival and clinical efficacy.
authors.affiliation: MRC Cyclotron Unit, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Sawle
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine / Q000009:adverse effects; D000313:Adrenal Medulla / Q000196:embryology / Q000637:transplantation*; D001479:Basal Ganglia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D016380:Brain Tissue Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002421:Caudate Nucleus; D016332:Fetal Tissue Transplantation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008636:Mesencephalon / Q000196:embryology / Q000637:transplantation*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D010302:Parkinson Disease, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011699:Putamen; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D016042:Transplantation, Heterotopic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D007980:Levodopa; D015632:1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine