Overview
- A UC Santa Cruz–led team reported the findings in Nature Neuroscience on November 24, describing structured neuronal sequences in human brain organoids.
- Organoids were generated from stem cells and matured for months as CMOS microelectrode arrays localized single-neuron spikes and time-ordered firing patterns.
- The observed sequences resembled the brain’s default mode, which the authors interpret as evidence of an intrinsic developmental program preceding experience.
- Researchers highlight organoids as controlled platforms to probe neurodevelopmental disorders and to assess neurotoxicants such as pesticides and microplastics.
- The team notes that organoids lack full brain architecture and sensory coupling, and that applying these results to intact human brain function will require further study.