A team of researchers at Stanford University has successfully integrated human neural tissue into the brains of mice, creating what they term “xenocortical mice.” Led by neuroscientist Sergiu Pașca, the study, published in the journal Nature, demonstrates a significant advancement in the use of human brain organoids to replace missing neural structures in rodents.
To facilitate the integration, the researchers genetically modified mice to prevent the natural development of the hippocampus and cortex. By creating this void, the team allowed transplanted human brain organoids to proliferate and occupy the space. According to Pașca, the human cells divided and grew over several months, eventually filling the majority of the vacant brain volume.
Behavioral testing indicated that the modified mice lacking human tissue struggled with memory, particularly in maze navigation. However, those that received the human cell transplants showed improved performance, suggesting that the human tissue contributed to the animals' cognitive functions. Despite these findings, Pașca noted that the mice appeared otherwise normal in their physical movements and vocalizations.
The research has drawn attention for its implications in studying brain injuries and the potential for future medical applications, such as treating stroke victims. Carsten Charlesworth, a Stanford scientist not involved in the study, highlighted the significance of the human tissue successfully connecting with the mouse nervous system across species barriers. However, he noted that such advancements challenge traditional biological assumptions.
The study also addresses ethical concerns. Pașca, who previously organized an ethics panel to review neural organoid technology, emphasized that there is currently no evidence that these rodents possess human-like consciousness, citing the vast evolutionary distance between the species and the small scale of the mouse brain. Nevertheless, he drew a firm ethical boundary regarding future research, stating that performing similar experiments on primates would be unjustified due to the risk of blurring cognitive boundaries between humans and animals.
Source: MIT Technology Review
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