Transplantation of fetal brain tissue. Some possibilities for neurobehavioral toxicology

Abstract

Fetal brain tissue transplanted to the brain of an adult mammalian host is known to develop within this environment. The grafted tissue also forms connections with the host brain and can produce recovery from behavioral deficits associated with destruction of parts of the host brain. The ability of grafts of fetal brain tissue to both develop in and form electrophysiologically viable connections with brains previously exposed to neurotoxins is discussed in this review. Restoration of neurotoxin-induced behavioral dysfunction by fetal brain grafts is also discussed. Finally, several uses for neural transplantation in neurotoxicological research are suggested. These uses include restoration of behavioral function, identification of the particular structures responsible for observed behavioral deficits, from among several structures damaged by an environmental neurotoxin, and identification of mechanisms underlying neurotoxicity.