Dopamine-rich grafts alleviate deficits in contralateral response space induced by extensive dopamine depletion in rats

► Extensive dopamine depletion causes deficits in ipsilateral and contralateral response spaces. ► Lesion induced deficits are highly stable and do not display signs of spontaneous recovery. ► Dopamine-rich grafts alleviate ipsilateral and some of the contralateral deficits. ► Graft effects are highly stable over time. ► Task is sensitive to detect the effect of cell replacement therapies in a drug free setting.