Structural and Functional Brain Repair Studies of PD Models by Novel Neurosurgical, PET and MRI/MRS Methods

摘要

This work develops a methodology to assess the acute toxicity induced by the MPTP treatment in a neurotoxic model of Parkinson's disease. Secondly, the progressive loss of dopamine axons can be diagnostically measured by positron emission tomography (PET) and using specific ligands such as CFT. Third, we are addressing whether xenogeneic dopamine neurons can replace the neurons lost by the neurotoxic process. We will also compare neurotransplantation with pallidotomy. The current analysis is dependent upon behavioral, PET, MRI/MRS and finally, post-mortem methodology to determine the questions and objectives outlined in this plan. In this period, we have found through combined PET and MRS studies how neurochemical changes are linked in the primate model for Parkinson's disease. We have obtained specific changes that provide us with predictive mathematical models for the progressive degeneration in Parkinson's disease. These results provide a useful model and novel diagnostic tools for neurotoxically induced Parkinson's disease.