Scientists have developed a device capable of detecting brain-like electrical activity in lab-grown “mini brains,” providing a new way to study early human brain development and neurological disorders.
Brain organoids are small clusters of human brain cells grown in laboratory conditions. These tiny structures form networks of neurons that communicate through electrical signals, allowing researchers to observe how brain cells organize and interact. They are widely used to investigate conditions such as autism, epilepsy, and schizophrenia, and to test potential treatments.
Until now, studying electrical activity inside these three dimensional structures has been difficult. Traditional recording tools were designed for flat cell cultures and cannot effectively measure signals across the curved surface of an organoid. This meant researchers could only capture limited data from small regions of the tissue.
To solve this problem, researchers created a flexible electronic mesh that begins as a flat, flower shaped device and then folds into a soft three dimensional structure. The mesh gently wraps around the organoid and places hundreds of tiny electrodes across its surface. This allows scientists to record neural activity from nearly the entire mini brain at the same time.
Using the device, researchers detected coordinated electrical oscillations similar to brain waves spreading across the organoid networks. The mesh structure is also porous, allowing nutrients and chemical compounds to pass through it. This enables researchers to observe how neural activity changes when drugs or other substances are introduced.
The technology provides a more complete view of how neural networks form and communicate in developing brain tissue. It could help scientists better understand the origins of neurological disorders and improve how new treatments are tested in the laboratory.