IUBio

Purkinje Grafts: How long a wait?

RA Jensen 103111.2057 at CompuServe.COM
Thu May 2 14:32:32 EST 1996


Janet;
I have often posed this question myself. As you probably already 
know there have been a number of experiments where normal 
cerebellar tissue has been transplanted into the cerebellum of 
the 'Weaver' mutant mouse producing an improvement in motor 
behavior. In autism, a severe developmental disorder, two 
independant autopsy studies conducted at Boston Hospital and at 
UCLA have reported early Purkinje neuron loss in 100% of cases. 
There are now sixteen autopsy and MRI studies published by nine 
independant research groups throughout the world that have now 
reported early cerebellar damage (Purkinje neuron loss) in 240 
cases of autism. There is no cure for autism therefore why should 
not the neuroscientists begin this debate now. I know that in 
Parkinson's disease there have been some excellent studies 
showing improvement in some cases after transplantation of fetal 
neurons from the substantia nigra, thus human experiments 
involving disorders of the cerebellum, including autism, is 
certainly ready for an open discussion. Thanks for raising this 
important issue.
Bob Jensen (not a neuroscientist)



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