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Abrain transplant orwhole-body transplant is a procedure in which the brain of one organism is transplanted into the body of another organism. It is a procedure distinct fromhead transplantation, which involves transferring the entire head to a new body, as opposed to the brain only. Theoretically, a person with complete organ failure could be given a new and functional body while keeping their own personality, memories, and consciousness through such a procedure.NeurosurgeonRobert J. White has grafted the head of a monkey onto the headless body of another monkey. EEG readings showed the brain was later functioning normally. Initially, it was thought to prove that the brain was animmunologically privileged organ, as the host's immune system did not attack it at first,[1] but immunorejection caused the monkey to die after nine days.[2]
One of the most significant barriers to the procedure is the inability ofnerve tissue to heal properly;scarred nerve tissue does not transmit signals well, which is whyspinal cord injuries devastate muscle function and sensation.
Alternatively, abrain–computer interface can be used connecting the subject to their own body. A study[3] using a monkey as a subject shows that it is possible to directly use commands from the brain, bypass the spinal cord and enable hand function. An advantage is that this interface can be adjusted after the surgical interventions are done where nerves can not be reconnected without surgery.
Also, for the procedure to be practical, the age of the donated body must be close to that of the recipient brain: an adult brain cannot fit into a skull that has not reached its full growth, which occurs at age 9–12 years.
When organs are transplanted, aggressivetransplant rejection by the host'simmune system can occur. Because immune cells of the CNS contribute to the maintenance of neurogenesis and spatial learning abilities in adulthood, the brain has been hypothesized to be animmunologically privileged (unrejectable) organ.[4][5][6] However, immunorejection of a functional transplanted brain has been reported in monkeys.[7]
In 1982, Dr. Dorothy T. Krieger, chief ofendocrinology atMount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, achieved success with a partial brain transplant in mice.[8]
In 1998, a team ofsurgeons from theUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical Center attempted to transplant a group ofbrain cells to Alma Cerasini, who had suffered a severestroke that caused the loss of mobility in her rightlimbs as well as had limited speech. The team hoped that the cells would correct the listed damage. She died later on.[9]
(As reproduced at author's personal webpage)
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