Neural Transplantation Methods

we might seek alternative sources of donor tissues. Genetic en- neering, expansion of precursor cells, generation of immortalized cell lines, and transplantation between species are all under active investigation. Although significant difficulties remain for each of these alternatives, the problems appear soluble and relevant knowledge is expanding rapidly. As we enter the twenty-first century, the place of neural tra- plantation in experimental neuroscience is continuing to evolve. Rather than being a topic in its own right, neural transplantation increasingly serves as just another technique in the researcher's armory--alongside lesions, pharmaceuticals, gene transfer, and a variety of other techniques--for the experimental manipulation of brain structure and function. This is particularly true for studies of degeneration, plasticity, regeneration, and recovery of function in the nervous system, topics of increasing importance as experimental neurobiology is required to serve the higher needs of neurological and mental health in aging societies. Within this evolving context, Neural Transplantation Methods seeks to serve a particular need: to provide experimental neu- scientists with a source book of information to enable them to select and adapt transplantation techniques to their own expe- mental programs. All authors have been asked to address prac- cal issues, to enable the reader to assess what is available, what are the alternatives, what are the practical issues to be resolved in applying a particular protocol and getting it to work reliably in their unique experimental context.

Klappentext

Leading experimental neurobiologists and neurosurgeons provide all the technical and practical information required to perform neural transplantation in experimental and neurological research, including a detailed consideration of the issues involved in designing and customizing such methods for specific research purposes. The authors outline the different sources of donor tissues and other materials for implantation, review the different techniques for tissue implantation into the brains of experimental animals of different species, and detail the major factors for promoting graft survival, integration, and function. All the techniques are presented in a proven format, along with alternative methods for special experimental needs. Neural Transplantation Methods constitutes the single most comprehensive sourcebook of practical information on the effective use of transplantation techniques in experimental neurobiology. Its powerful and flexible techniques will significantly aid all those now working to develop today's powerful new treatments of brain and spinal cord diseases and injuries.

Inhalt
Sources of Cells for Transplantation.- Dissecting Embryonic Neural Tissues for Transplantation.- Pregraft Tissue Storage Methods for Intracerebral Transplantation.- Neural Stem Cells for Transplantation.- Immortalized Cells.- Cells from Testis for Transplantation in the CNS.- Engineered Cells and Ex Vivo Gene Transfer.- Intracerebral Gene Transfer Using Viral Vectors.- Methods of Implantation.- Basic Transplantation Methods in Rodent Brain.- Intraocular Grafting.- Neural Transplantation in the Developing CNS.- Preparation of Cell Suspensions for Transplantation.- Microtransplantation of Nigral Dopamine Neurons.- Application of Polymer-Encapsulated Cell Therapy for CNS Diseases.- Neural Transplantation in Parkinsonian Primates.- Transplanting Myelinogenic Cells into the CNS.- Labeling and Identifying Grafted Cells.- Factors in Graft Survival and Function.- Neovascularization and the Blood-Brain Barrier in Neural Transplantation.- Trophic Influences on Neural Tissue Transplants.- Neuroprotective Strategies in Neural Grafting.- Death and Survival in CNS Grafting.- Immunology.- Immunoprotection of Cell and Tissue Implants in the CNS.- Immunobiology of Neural Xenotransplantation.