title: Transplantation of Neural Precursor Cells in the Treatment of Parkinson Disease: An Efficacy and Safety Analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical safety, feasibility and efficacy of transplantation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients, aged 42-79 years (median age 57.33 years), participated in the study. A total of 3 × 107 NPCs in 0.25 ml were deposited unilaterally into the striatum. To access the effectiveness of first transplantation surgery, comparisons between the resulting pre-first surgery evaluation and pre-second surgery evaluation were made with repeatedmeasures analysis of variance. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Hoehn-Yahr, PDQ-39 and Schwab-England Scores were used to evaluate the Parkinson patients' neurofunctions. Four aspects were used to assess the possible side effects of transplantation: a) tumor formation, b) immune rejection and use of immunosuppressant, c) graft induced complication and d) delivery related side effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrated that the symptoms of PD patients were statistically improved after transplantation (P < 0.01). There were no obvious side effects of transplantation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transplantation of neural precursor cells may be a valid and safe treatment method for Parkinson's Disease.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, The PLA Navy General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Leng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lige
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zengmin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*