Japanese scientists develop technique to connect brain cells grown in lab

Japanese scientists have reportedly developed a technique to connect lab-grown brain-mimicking tissue in a way that functions like circuits in our brain. Researchers at the University of Tokyo published a study in the journal Nature Communications, exploring materialising an idea always considered pretty far-fetched. The authors revealed that they found a new way to create physiological connections between lab-grown neural organoids. These organoids are experimental model tissue in which human stem cells are grown into 3D developmental brain-mimicking structures. The physiological connections were built via axonal bundles, which is similar to how regions are connected in the living human brain.

“Animal studies are limited by differences between species in brain structure and function, and brain cells grown in the lab tend to lack the characteristic connections of cells in the human brain,” said University of Tokyo’s Dr Yoshiho Ikeuchi and colleagues.

“What’s more, we are increasingly realizing that these interregional connections, and the circuits that they create, are important for many of the brain functions that define us as humans,” they added.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The researchers stimulated the axonal bundles using a technique known as optogenetics. It was observed that the organoids were affected by these changes for some time as the organoid activity was altered.

“These findings suggest that axonal bundle connections are important for developing complex networks,” said Dr Ikeuchi.

He added that the complex brain networks command various actions of bodies, including speaking, hearing and emotions.

“Given that alterations in brain networks have been associated with various neurological and psychiatric conditions, a better understanding of brain networks is important,” the researcher said.

The study about lab-grown human neural circuits is slated to expand the scope of our understanding in the long run and add to previous studies on the concept.

“Previous studies have tried to create brain circuits under laboratory conditions, which have been advancing the field,” the researchers said.

(With inputs from agencies)