AUTHOR=Hogberg Helena T. , Smirnova Lena TITLE=The Future of 3D Brain Cultures in Developmental Neurotoxicity Testing JOURNAL=Frontiers in Toxicology VOLUME=4 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/toxicology/articles/10.3389/ftox.2022.808620 DOI=10.3389/ftox.2022.808620 ISSN=2673-3080 ABSTRACT=
Human brain is undoubtedly the most complex organ in the body. Thus, it is difficult to develop adequate and at the same time human relevant test systems and models to cover the aspects of brain homeostasis and even more challenging to address brain development. Animal tests for Developmental Neurotoxicity (DNT) have been devised, but because of complex underlying mechanisms of neural development, and interspecies differences, there are many limitations of animal-based approaches. The high costs, high number of animals used per test and technical difficulties of these tests are prohibitive for routine DNT chemical screening. Therefore, many potential DNT chemicals remain unidentified. New approach methodologies (NAMs) are needed to change this. Experts in the field have recommended the use of a battery of human