Peeking Inside Mini Brains

By: Maryam Young

May 22, 2022

Medical science is one of the fastest developing sciences. But even still, many diseases and neurological disorders are still a mystery to us. However, the development of ‘mini brains’ and ‘mini organelles’ can help scientists gain knowledge and develop key medicines to combat numerous disorders and illnesses.

In the history of medical science and medication development, medicines have been created through with the use of animal testing, concentual human trials, and other unethical practices. The development of ‘mini brains’ could potentially replace all of these practices. According to Science News, ‘mini brains’ are miniature brains around the size of a pinhead. They are grown in labs, inside of closed in vitro models. Thus, ‘mini brains’ can be used as a method of testing in order to come up with treatments for certain diseases and disorders.

As for their composition, mini brains are grown from stem cells: cells which will develop specialized functions but do not yet have one. These stem cells will then develop into a ‘miniature brain’ which could potentially replicate aspects of the human brain physiology. Through the cultivation of these miniature brains, scientists can gain information about human brain development, diseases, and medicine.

Over the recent years, scientists have also been making new discoveries about the mini brain phenomena. "Typically, to look inside a 'mini-brain', we slice it thinly and view it on a slide under a microscope. This is a slow process that can damage the sample. Now, for the first time, we have produced high resolution 3D images of single neurons within intact 'mini-brains', revealing their remarkable complexity," added Dr. Subashika Govindan, who carried out the work at HEPIA.

Additionally, there are various ways that ‘mini brains’ will help scientists understand disease and human health. For example, miniature brains can form eye-like formations (optic cups) that resemble eye structures in human embryos. This will allow scientists to understand things such as eye diseases, differentiation processes, and eye development. These pin head sized brains can also replicate disease processes of Alzheimer's, microcephaly, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Mini brains have also allowed Cambridge researchers to gain information on frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Alysson Muotri, a senior author and biologist at U.C. San Diego, believes that mini brains and other miniature organoids will help scientists understand disorders caused by neural wiring. These disorders include autism, schizophrenia, epilepsy and other disorders.

Although the field of science and medicine is continuing to progress, neurological disorders and conditions still remain prevalent in today’s society. If you are struggling with a neurodegenerative disease or other neurological diseases, it's important to seek help. If you or a loved one is not diagnosed, but expresses symptoms of a neurological disorder consult a doctor immediately. If your disorder or a loved one's disorder progresses or worsens, consult a doctor immediately.

“Mini brains” and “mini organelles” are still a very new concept to scientists today. But in the progressing years, they will help us combat diseases and disorders in a way that has never been done in the past. These little pin head sized organs are tiny but mighty!

Work Cited

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Lakatos , Andras, et al. “Lab-Grown 'Mini Brains' Hint at Treatments for Neurodegenerative Diseases.” University of Cambridge, 21 Oct. 2021, https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/lab-grown-mini-brains-hint-at-treatments-for-neurodegenerative-diseases.

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