Brain implants in man do not break down the blood-brain barrier to dopamine and domperidone.

ABSTRACT

We have evaluated the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in 8 Parkinsonian patients before and after stereotactic implantation of foetal mesencephalon (STIM) and one patient with an adrenal medullary implant. Parenteral administration of dopamine did not reverse Parkinsonism pre-operatively or at 5 days, 1, 2, 3, 4 months and 1 year post-operatively. Apomorphine and domperidone reversed Parkinsonism and produced dyskinesia in all patients pre- and post-operatively. We conclude that the BBB remains intact to dopamine following implantation.