Neural Transplantation Methods (Neuromethods, 36)

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.

In Neural Transplantation Methods, 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, and discuss the practicalities of embryonic staging and dissection, of the storage of cells by hibernation or cryopreservation, of the expansion of precursor cells, and of the genetic manipulation of cells for in vivo or ex vivo gene transfer. Tissue implantation techniques used for experimental animals of different species include: in oculo and demyelination models, microtransplantation of cell suspensions, encapsulation of transplanted cells, implantation into immature animals-especially primates-and labeling transplanted cells for subsequent detection. Special attention is given to the factors determining transplant survival and integration, detailing the role of the blood-brain barrier, the importance of vascularization for proper graft nutrition, the role of trophic factors, and strategies for immune suppression.
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.