Scientists implant human brain cells into mice to test psychiatric drugs
US neuroscientists grew human brain tissue inside mice to test treatments for neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases.
Researchers at Stanford University have genetically engineered mice with human brain cells. They did this to develop treatments for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions that only happen in humans.
The scientists took human skin cells. They converted them into brain-like tissue structures called organoids.
They placed these into mice whose own brains had been engineered to have minimal cortex development. The human cells joined the mouse brain networks.
They connected with the rest of the animal's nervous system. The work was published in the journal Nature.
It was completed with independent ethical review. Lead researcher Prof Sergiu Pașca said psychiatry has "one of the lowest success rates for clinical trials."
This happens because drugs that work in animal models often fail in humans. The team believes this breakthrough could help understand and treat some complex conditions.
These include epilepsy, autism and cerebral palsy.
- Stanford University
- Institution
- Prof Sergiu Pașca
- Lead researcher
- Nature journal
- Published in
- Epilepsy, autism, cerebral palsy
- Conditions targeted
Why it mattersMost psychiatric drugs fail in human trials even when they work in animal models. This human-mouse brain model could dramatically improve how well laboratory discoveries turn into real treatments.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect yet, but Australian researchers in neuroscience and psychiatry may adopt this method to develop better treatments for mental health and neurological conditions.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 d ago
