Background & Objective: Neurotransplantation has been recently the focus of interest as a
promising therapy to substitute lost cerebellar neurons and improve cerebellar ataxias. However, since
cell differentiation and synaptic formation are required to obtain a functional circuitry, highly integrated
reproduction of cerebellar anatomy is not a simple process. Rather than a genuine replacement,
recent studies have shown that grafted cells rescue surviving cells from neurodegeneration by exerting
trophic effects, supporting mitochondrial function, modulating neuroinflammation, stimulating endogenous
regenerative processes, and facilitating cerebellar compensatory properties thanks to neural
plasticity. On the other hand, accumulating clinical evidence suggests that the self-recovery capacity is
still preserved even if the cerebellum is affected by a diffuse and progressive pathology. We put forward
the period with intact recovery capacity as “restorable stage” and the notion of reversal capacity
as “cerebellar reserve”.
Conclusion:
The concept of cerebellar reserve is particularly relevant, both theoretically and practically,
to target recovery of cerebellar deficits by neurotransplantation. Reinforcing the cerebellar reserve and
prolonging the restorable stage can be envisioned as future endpoints of neurotransplantation.
