The GuardianThe Guardian

Human neurons transplanted into rats to help study brain disorders

By Ian Sample

12 Oct 2022 · 3 min read

Editor's Note

At Stanford, scientists inserted human cells into animal brains. Researchers argue the findings will help to address a range of neurological issues in patients. Many ethical questions remain open.

Researchers have transplanted human neurons into rat brains in work that aims to shed fresh light on debilitating neurological and psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy and schizophrenia.

The clumps of human cells took root inside the animal brains, hooked up to their blood supplies and tapped into rat brain circuits, allowing them to sense whisker movements and change how the animals behaved.

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