Brain Organoids and Neurodevelopment: Insights into Embryonic Growth and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Research into neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental diseases has gained significant momentum with the introduction of brain organoid technology. Traditionally, the study of human brain development has been constrained by limited access to embryonic tissue and ethical considerations, resulting in a heavy reliance on animal models and in vitro systems that do not fully recapitulate the complexity of the human brain. Recent advancements in stem cell technology have enabled the generation of brain organoids, three-dimensional, self-organizing structures derived from human pluripotent stem cells, which mimic key features of early embryonic brain development. While brain organoids have provided insight into early neurodevelopmental processes, questions remain regarding their fidelity in modeling physiological and pathological states, the extent to which they can capture region-specific brain architecture, and their capacity to highlight the origins of neurodevelopmental disorders.Significant research using brain organoids has begun to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving human brain development, such as cortical layer formation, neural progenitor dynamics, and synaptogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated the ability of organoids to model disease-specific phenotypes, including those seen in microcephaly, autism spectrum disorders, and epilepsy, offering promising avenues for mechanistic exploration and therapeutic screening. However, challenges persist including reproducibility, maturation, functional integration, and the absence of certain in vivo environmental cues. There is an urgent need to refine organoid methodologies, compare findings to primary tissues, and expand the application of organoids to a broader range of neurodevelopmental disorders.This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of human neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental diseases by highlighting the latest achievements, challenges, and future directions in the use of brain organoids as model systems. We seek contributions that address fundamental questions in embryonic brain patterning and differentiation, offer critical perspectives on modeling neurodevelopmental disorders, propose novel techniques to improve organoid fidelity and maturation, and integrate multi-omics or imaging approaches to achieve deeper mechanistic insight.As this Research Topic focuses on the intersection of developmental neuroscience and organoid technology, submissions are limited to research and perspectives that advance the modeling of human brain development and pathology using organoids. To gather further insights in this evolving field, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Molecular and cellular mechanisms of human brain development unraveled using organoidso Innovations in brain organoid engineering, maturation, and patterningo Modeling of neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., microcephaly, autism, epilepsy) with organoid systemso Comparative studies between organoids and primary embryonic/fetal brain tissueso Integration of multi-omics, imaging, or electrophysiological techniques in organoid research Topic editors: Serena Barral, Amy McTague, Sergei Sokol Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79217/brain-organoids-and-neurodevelopment-insights-into-embryonic-growth-and-neurodevelopmental-disorders