GM1 ganglioside does not stimulate reinnervation of the striatum by substantia nigra grafts.

Ganglioside GM1 has been reported to promote reinnervation of the striatum by dopaminergic fibers following brain hemisection in the rat. In the present study, the possibility that chronic ganglioside GM1 (10 or 50 mg/kg day for 3 weeks) would promote reinnervation of the dopamine-denervated striatum by embryonic substantia nigra grafts was studied. No enhancement of the ingrowth of fibers from the grafts was observed. It is concluded that under this circumstance, the growth of catecholaminergic fibers is restricted by factors other than the availability of ganglioside GM1.