The participants agreed that, since the results of these experimental surgeries are not understood nor sufficiently studied, the research should proceed only under stringent research protocols. This potential therapy for Huntington's disease is in the very early stage of research - like Phase I in a drug trial. Right now the doctors want to see if they can perform the surgery without harm to the patient. Then, in Phase II, investigators will determine the right dosage to give - the right kind of fetal tissue in the right spots in the brain. Right now we have no rigorous scientific evidence that people with the transplants are improving.
Brain surgery is always risky and it is premature to say that transplantation works as a therapy.
Results can then be compared to determine effects. The Hereditary Disease Foundation will be working with the scientists in this field to help develop the tools and protocols necessary to assess this procedure as a potential therapy for Huntington's disease. We'll keep you posted.