Part-human part-mouse brain developed in science breakthrough
4 hours ago
- US neuroscientists created mice with functioning human brain cells to test treatments for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders that only occur in humans.
- The mice are genetically engineered and surgically altered, but do not 'think like humans' and show no enhanced cognitive abilities.
- Human neurons were implanted into mice whose own cerebral cortex was suppressed; the cells integrated into the mouse brain circuitry.
- The research was conducted with independent ethical scrutiny and raises questions about altering animal cognition.
- The technique may be limited to specific disorders due to ethical concerns, but offers a new avenue for studying human brain diseases.