Neuroscientists at Stanford University have developed a method to implant millions of human brain cells into mice, creating a novel model for studying neurodegenerative disorders such as cerebral palsy. The research, published in the journal Nature, represents a significant leap in the effort to simulate human brain function outside the body.
To construct the hybrid subjects, the team utilized genetic tools to breed mice lacking most of their cerebral cortexes—the brain region responsible for reasoning, memory, and consciousness. They then replaced a substantial portion of the missing cells with lab-grown human brain organoids. The resulting mice possess human neurons that integrate with the mouse brain, allowing researchers to manipulate the cells to mimic various human brain conditions.
“For the past two decades, there’s been a quest to try to build models of the human brain outside of the human body,” said Sergiu Pașca, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford and the senior author of the study. He noted that while the technology will not replace existing models, it provides access to aspects of human brain function that were previously difficult to investigate.
The innovation offers advantages over traditional petri dish methods. Hongkui Zeng, executive vice president and director of brain science at the Allen Institute in Seattle, who was not involved in the study, described the approach as a powerful way to observe how human neurons and circuits form in a more natural environment.
However, the advancement has prompted ethical scrutiny. While Pașca emphasized that the research was conducted under strong ethical oversight, other experts warned of potential future complications. Zeng highlighted concerns regarding the application of this technique in larger, longer-living animals, suggesting that the development may raise significant questions about the status and treatment of such hybrids.
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