Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a multi-region brain organoid (MRBO) that integrates cerebral, midbrain, hindbrain, and vascular tissues. Unlike traditional organoids that model isolated brain regions, the MRBO mimics a 40-day-old fetal brain and exhibits coordinated electrical activity across regions. It also forms a rudimentary blood-brain barrier, a critical feature for studying drug permeability and neurodevelopment.
The organoid contains 6–7 million neurons and represents 80% of the cell types found in early brain development. To create it, researchers grew separate regional tissues and fused them using sticky proteins, allowing the cells to connect and function as a unified network. This holistic model enables real-time observation of brain development and disease progression.
MRBOs offer a human-cell-based platform for studying neuropsychiatric conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s, which affect multiple brain regions. They also provide a more accurate alternative to animal models for drug testing, potentially improving clinical trial success rates. With most neuropsychiatric drugs failing in early trials, MRBOs could help identify effective treatments earlier in the development pipeline.
The organoid’s complexity opens doors to personalized medicine, allowing researchers to tailor therapies to individual patients. Future work may incorporate immune cells and long-range neural connections, further enhancing its realism. This breakthrough marks a significant step toward understanding the brain’s architecture and the origins of neurological disorders.
Article from Johns Hopkins University: Johns Hopkins Scientists Grow Novel ‘Whole-Brain’ Organoid
Abstract in Advanced Science: ulti-Region Brain Organoids Integrating Cerebral, Mid-Hindbrain, and Endothelial Systems
