Controlled release of proteins to tissue transplants for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Alzheimer's disease involves substantial cholinergic cell deficits; other neurodegenerative diseases involve similar losses of certain cell populations. Optimal therapies may involve tissue replacement coupled with the controlled delivery of appropriate growth factors, such as nerve growth factor, to the graft site. In this review article we describe the kinetics of protein release from three modes of controlled protein delivery to transplants: delivery from a polymer matrix, delivery form polymeric microspheres, and delivery from genetically engineered cells. The efficacy and feasibility of each of these delivery strategies for potential treatment of patients diagnosed with neurodegenerative disorders is discussed.