US-based researchers have developed a new organoid containing nerve cells from multiple brain regions to study brain development and disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.

Most brain organoids replicate only a single brain region, such as the cortex or hindbrain regions. Scientists at the Johns Hopkins University have now created the first multi-region brain organoid (MRBO) from human cells. 

To build the organoid, the team used human stem cells to grow blood vessels and nerve cells from different brain regions in separate lab dishes. Then, the researchers fused these 2D cultures of nerve cells using proteins that act like biological “superglue”. As the tissues began to grow together, they formed connections and started to respond as a network. 

Although much smaller than an actual brain—containing about six to seven million neurons compared to tens of billions in adult brains— these organoids show great promise: “Diseases such as schizophrenia, autism, and Alzheimer’s affect the whole brain, not just one part of the brain,” said Annie Kathuria, senior author of the study published in Advanced Science.