October 13, 2022
Building human models that are not invasive of the human brain is one of the most promising avenues in trying to tackle these conditions.
Dr. Sergiu Pașca, lead researcher of a new study from Stanford University in which human brain tissue was transplanted into rats’ brains. The study seeks to further research regarding epilepsy, autism, and other disorders.
Why It Matters: The study, which spanned seven years, implanted lab-created human brain tissue in rats and caused them to develop human cells within the brain. The connection allowed scientists to study parts of the brain important for sleep, learning, memory, etc., and helps sets the stage for more complex research having to do with conditions such as schizophrenia and autism.
These rats have human cells in their brains. They may help scientists understand autism and schizophrenia. (USA Today)
Transplant of human brain tissue into rats could help study autism, other disorders (The Washington Post)
by Jenna Lee,
