Embryonic dopamine cell transplants survive in nearly all
patients regardless of age and without immunosuppression.
Transplants can improve Parkinson “off” symptoms up to the best
effects of L-dopa observed preoperatively. They cannot improve
the “best on” state. Transplants appear to survive indefinitely.
In 10 to 15% of patients, transplants can reproduce the
dyskinetic effects of L-dopa even after discontinuing all
L-dopa. Neurotransplantation should be tried earlier in the
clinical course of Parkinson’s to see if earlier intervention
can prevent progression of the disease, particularly the
dyskinetic responses seen after longterm L-dopa
treatment.