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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
Robust and Highly Reproducible Generation of Cortical Brain Organoids for Modelling Brain Neuronal Senescence In Vitro
Published on: May 5, 2022
Androgens increase excitement in brain organoid research
Ryan M Samuel1, Homa Majd1, Mikayla N Richter1
1Department of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
Male brains show increased volume and neuron density due to specific developmental mechanisms. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids are crucial for studying these sex-based brain differences.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Quantitative sex-based differences are established in the human brain.
- Understanding the mechanisms driving these differences is crucial for developmental neuroscience.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms behind increased male brain volume and neuron density.
- To highlight the utility of human pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids in studying human brain development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human pluripotent stem cell-derived organoids.
- Employed quantitative analyses to assess brain volume and neuron density.
Main Results:
- Identified specific mechanisms contributing to greater brain volume in males.
- Demonstrated higher neuron density in male brain organoids.
- Validated the use of organoids for studying sex-based brain development.
Conclusions:
- Specific developmental mechanisms underlie sex-based differences in human brain size and cellularity.
- Human organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells offer a powerful model for investigating these complex developmental processes.
