title: Intrathecal application of autologous bone marrow cell preparations in Parkinsonian syndromes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A growing number of patients is treated with intrathecal application of autologous bone marrow cells (aBMCs), but clinical data are completely lacking in movement disorders. We provide first clinical data on efficacy and safety of this highly experimental treatment approach in parkinsonian syndromes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data collection from patients with parkinsonism who spontaneously sought cell treatment. The application procedure was neither recommended nor performed by the authors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report 17 patients with parkinsonian syndromes (Parkinson's disease [PD], n = 7; multiple system atrophy [MSA], n = 7; various, n = 3) who received intrathecal application of aBMCs. We did not observe any changes in motor function, activities of daily living, global clinical impression, or antiparkinsonian medication after a median observation period of 10 months. Two patients reported a worsening of parkinsonian symptoms, but the intervention was otherwise safe and well-tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intrathecal application of aBMCs in uncontrolled conditions produces no clinical benefit in parkinsonian syndromes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, Dresden University of Technology, Dresden, Germany. alexander.storch@neuro.med.tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Storch
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Csoti
authors.forename: Karla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eggert
authors.forename: Tove
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Henriksen
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Plate
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lorrain
authors.forename: Wolfgang H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Oertel
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Antonini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome