Scientists grow human brain cells in rats, neurons in a dish play ‘Pong’

Scientists are growing human brain cells in rats to study diseases and help keep you alive. Stanford University scientists transplanted human brain cells into the brains of baby rats, where the cells grew and formed connections. 

A psychiatry professor at the Stanford School of Medicine, says it has created “the most advanced human brain circuitry ever built from human skin cells.” And that it demonstrates “implanted human neurons can influence an animal’s behavior.”

The study, published Wednesday in the Nature Journal, says it hopes to tackle disorders such as autism, schizophrenia and neuropsychiatric disorders, the largest cause of disability worldwide.

Scientists have also for the first time proven that human brain cells living in a dish can perform tasks like playing the classic computer video game Pong. Researchers say the experiment provides evidence that brain cells exhibit inherent intelligence.

In time, this could help scientists understand the cause of diseases, develop new drugs and help them better understand how the brain functions.