Preclinical quality, safety, and efficacy of a human embryonic stem cell-derived product for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, STEM-PD.

Cell replacement therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD) based on transplantation of pluripotent stem cell-derived dopaminergic neurons are now entering clinical trials. Here, we present quality, safety, and efficacy data supporting the first-in-human STEM-PD phase I/IIa clinical trial along with the trial design. The STEM-PD product was manufactured under GMP and quality tested in vitro and in vivo to meet regulatory requirements.

Intraputamenal Cerebral Dopamine Neurotrophic Factor in Parkinson's Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Phase 1 Trial.

Background: Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) is an unconventional neurotrophic factor that protects dopamine neurons and improves motor function in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Objective: The primary objectives of this study were to assess the safety and tolerability of both CDNF and the drug delivery system (DDS) in patients with PD of moderate severity.

Methods: We assessed the safety and tolerability of monthly intraputamenal CDNF infusions in patients with PD using an investigational DDS, a bone-anchored transcutaneous port connected to four catheters.

Microelectrode clusters enable therapeutic deep brain stimulation without noticeable side-effects in a rodent model of Parkinson's disease.

Background: Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, side effects often limit the usefulness of the treatment.

New Method: To mitigate this problem, we developed a novel cluster of ultrathin platinum-iridium microelectrodes (n = 16) embedded in a needle shaped gelatin vehicle.

A Subgaleal Hematoma That Turned Out to Be a B-Cell Lymphoma.

Background: Subgaleal masses are relatively common in the clinical praxis, and after a trauma to the head, a subgaleal hematoma is usually suspected. However, other differential diagnoses, such as malignant tumors, should be kept in mind despite a history of a previous trauma.

Case Description And Conclusions: We report a case of a subgaleal mass that was clinically and radiologically diagnosed as a subgaleal hematoma in a patient on antiplatelet therapy.

Safety and tolerability of intracerebroventricular PDGF-BB in Parkinson's disease patients.

BACKGROUND. Recombinant human PDGF-BB (rhPDGF-BB) reduces Parkinsonian symptoms and increases dopamine transporter (DAT) binding in several animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Effects of rhPDGF-BB are the result of proliferation of ventricular wall progenitor cells and reversed by blocking mitosis.

Intracerebral infections as a complication of deep brain stimulation.

Background: Intracerebral infections after deep brain stimulation (DBS) are rare. The published material is limited to 2 case reports. A review of 20 publications of 3,818 patients focusing on complications of DBS did not reveal one single case.

Segmental cerebral vasoconstriction: successful treatment of secondary cerebral ischaemia with intravenous prostacyclin.

We describe a 23-year-old male patient who presented with spontaneous intermittent and increasing attacks of severe, left-sided thunderclap headache combined with rapidly progressive muscle weakness and dysphasia, including gradual loss of consciousness. Subsequent CT, MRI and DSA showed progressive brain ischaemia and oedema within the left cerebral hemisphere with strict ipsilateral segmental arterial vasoconstriction. Despite extensive medical care, including steroids, the patient deteriorated rapidly.

Comparison of accuracy and precision between frame-based and frameless stereotactic navigation for deep brain stimulation electrode implantation.

The accuracy and precision of frameless neuronavigation as compared to conventional frame-based stereotaxy for implantation of deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes were studied in 14 patients with essential tremor. DBS electrodes were implanted bilaterally in the ventrolateral thalamus [ventrointermediate nucleus (VIM)] in one procedure. Frameless neuronavigation was used on one side and the conventional frame-based technique on the other.