In their efforts to develop methods that lead to accurate models of the human brain, scientists have developed a unique protocol for studying neurological disorders such as autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and ALS using organisms.
Recently, researchers developed and shared methods for growing cortical brain organoids. According to the scientists, this creation is a “miniature artificial brain with a functioning nervous system”.
This technique allows scientists to conduct more advanced research on neurological disorders without directly affecting patients.
Instead, the output is tested in a brain model with normal brain structure, but with altered electrical activity due to neural conditions.
An artificial mini-brain to study neurological disorders
Organoids, which represent artificially grown brain-like cells, approximate the complexity of the nervous system of the fetal brain.
This has given researchers a powerful tool to study various brain biology and pathologies.
This model will help people with autism, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS and other neurological diseases to better understand their brain with altered electrical activity.
This study investigates the effects of microgravity on brain development and disease progression by conducting experiments on the International Space Station (ISS).
Recently, researchers from the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego) collaborated with the Federal University of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain.
They developed a proprietary protocol to create a realistic brain cortical organoid — a “wired miniature brain,” according to a statement.
