Fig. 3.

Graphical depiction of a rhesus monkey brain hemisphere in intact and PD-like conditions and with striatal and nigral grafts. The main area of projection of nigral dopaminergic neurons is the striatum, which is composed by the caudate nucleus and putamen. In PD and PD-like conditions (e.g.: after MPTP intoxication), nigral dopaminergic neurons die; thus, striatal dopamine (DA) is decreased. Grafting of DA-producing cells into the striatum is envisioned as a way to ensure DA availability in the area of projection. Nigral grafts are proposed as a way to reconstruct the nigrostriatal pathway. Cd caudate, ic internal capsule, Put Putamen, ac anterior commissure, cc corpus callosum, Ctx cortex