Degenerative changes of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra are considered the main physiopathological basis of Parkinson''s disease, while most authors believe that the neostriatum is well preserved in these cases. This paper deals with the preliminary ultrastructural observations made in the neuropil of the caudate nucleus of Parkinson''s disease patients. We have observed (1) astrocytic proliferation, neuronal degeneration, degenerated axons, and hyperdense postsynaptic neurites (dendrites), and (2) that degenerative patterns vary from one case to another. Physiopathological and therapeutical implications are discussed.

The neurobiological aspects of human neural transplants are far from being understood. We have approached their study by means of a multidisciplinary working team. Nine patients with Parkinson''s disease were subjected to open brain surgery for grafting of autologous adrenal medulla. Not all patients improved. Those patients that did so showed different patterns of improvement. Rigidity was the sign most relived in this group of patients. Electroencephalographic changes were attributable to surgical manipulation. High-performance liquid chromatographic quantification of catecholaminergic metabolites did not correlate with post-grafting outcome. Biopterin levels showed a significant increment after surgery. More interdisciplinary studies ought to be done on neural transplants.

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