Transplanted Dopaminergic Neurons Develop PD Pathologic Changes: A Second Case Report

This report describes pathological changes within the grafted neurons or another patient with Parkinson's disease (PD) who died 14 years posttransplantation. Although numerous healthy appearing grafted neurons were present at this long-term time point, some displayed Lewy bodies its evidenced by alpha-synuclein, ubiquitin, and thioflavin-S staining. Additionally, there was a general loss of dopamine transporter-immunoreactivity in grafted neurons. Some grafted cell displayed a loss of tyrosine hydroxylase. These data support the emerging concept that PD-like pathology is seen in young grafted neurons when they survive long term. (c) 2008 Movement Disorder Society