In the past couple of decades, the advances brought about by the ability to induce human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from somatic cells and to employ brain organoids mimicking certain regional neuronal characteristics (e.g., cortex) have made it possible to re-think our approach to understanding and potentially curing many genetic, developmental and acquired diseases and conditions in the central nervous system (CNS). Since brain maturation in mammals in general, such as in rodents, is very different from that of humans, brain organoids which can mimic early human brain development, have advanced our understanding of human CNS diseases and conditions.
Several laboratories around the world have used such techniques and succeeded in making major progress in our understanding of not only the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental diseases, but also its neurophysiology and neural circuits. Additionally, these models have great potential as tools to study potential therapies since they can replicate the human brain. However, they still present some limitations and technical challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the reproducibility and replicability of these studies.
The aim of this Research Topic is to compile the state-of-the-art technology and the neurodevelopmental disease areas where most progress has been made. Including but not limited to the following subtopics:
- Applications of IPSCs and brain organoids in the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental diseases.
- Protocols and best practices to culture IPSCs and brain organoids for the study of neurodevelopmental diseases.
- Studies of potential therapies for neurodevelopmental disease using IPSCs and brain organoids.
- Challenges and ethical concerns of these models.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Reviews, Methods, and Perspective articles.
In the past couple of decades, the advances brought about by the ability to induce human pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from somatic cells and to employ brain organoids mimicking certain regional neuronal characteristics (e.g., cortex) have made it possible to re-think our approach to understanding and potentially curing many genetic, developmental and acquired diseases and conditions in the central nervous system (CNS). Since brain maturation in mammals in general, such as in rodents, is very different from that of humans, brain organoids which can mimic early human brain development, have advanced our understanding of human CNS diseases and conditions.
Several laboratories around the world have used such techniques and succeeded in making major progress in our understanding of not only the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental diseases, but also its neurophysiology and neural circuits. Additionally, these models have great potential as tools to study potential therapies since they can replicate the human brain. However, they still present some limitations and technical challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the reproducibility and replicability of these studies.
The aim of this Research Topic is to compile the state-of-the-art technology and the neurodevelopmental disease areas where most progress has been made. Including but not limited to the following subtopics:
- Applications of IPSCs and brain organoids in the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental diseases.
- Protocols and best practices to culture IPSCs and brain organoids for the study of neurodevelopmental diseases.
- Studies of potential therapies for neurodevelopmental disease using IPSCs and brain organoids.
- Challenges and ethical concerns of these models.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Reviews, Methods, and Perspective articles.
