The “mini-brain” developed by Dr. Wenzel using stem cells Alzheimer’s disease The improved accuracy of treatment and diagnosis indicates the potential for broader medical applications and more efficient healthcare delivery.
Dr. Tyler Wenzel of the University of Saskatchewan (USask) has devised a revolutionary new method to create miniature brains from stem cells. Dr. Wenzel’s “mini-brains” could revolutionize how we diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s and other brain-related diseases.
“We never dreamed our crazy idea would work,” he says. “This device made from blood could be used as a diagnostic tool.”
Wenzel, a postdoctoral researcher in the School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, came up with the idea for “mini-brains,” or more formally, unique brain organoid models, while working under the mentorship of Darrell Mousseau, PhD.
Unique Features of Stem Cell-Derived Organoids
Human stem cells can be engineered to differentiate into virtually any cell in the body, and Wenzel has used stem cells taken from human blood to create tiny artificial organs about an inch across that, he says, look a bit like a piece of chewed gum that has been smoothed out again.
These “mini-brains” are constructed by creating stem cells from blood samples and then converting these stem cells into functioning brain cells. While the concept of using tiny synthetic organoids in research is not new, the “mini-brains” developed in Wenzel’s lab are unique. As outlined in an article Wenzel recently published in Frontiers of Cellular Neuroscience, the brains in Wenzel’s lab are made up of four different types of brain cells, whereas most brain organoids are made up only of neurons.
In tests, Wenzel’s “mini-brain” more accurately reflects the adult human brain and could be used to look more closely at neurological conditions in adult patients, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Mini-brains’ potential for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease
Wenzel found that “mini-brains” created from stem cells from Alzheimer’s patients also displayed Alzheimer’s pathology, although on a smaller scale.
“If stem cells have the ability to become any cell in the human body, the question arose: ‘Can we make something resembling an entire organ?'” Wenzel says. “During development, we had the wild idea that if this was really a human brain, and a patient had a disease like Alzheimer’s, we could grow this ‘mini-brain,’ and theoretically the little brain would develop Alzheimer’s.”
The researchers say the technology could transform how healthcare services are delivered to people with Alzheimer’s, especially in rural and remote communities. The groundbreaking research has already been supported by the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
Expanding application scope and future research
If Wenzel and his colleagues can develop a consistent way to diagnose and treat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s using only a small blood sample that can be stored for a relatively long time and delivered to patients, instead of requiring them to visit a hospital or specialized clinic, it could save healthcare systems huge amounts of resources and reduce the burden on patients.
“In theory, if this tool works the way we think it will, people could send blood samples from La Roche or La Ronge to the university and we could make a diagnosis right away,” he said.
The initial proof-of-concept work with the “mini-brain” is very promising, and Wenzel’s next step is to expand testing to more patients.
The researchers are also interested in expanding the scope of their “mini-brain” study: If they can confirm that the “mini-brains” accurately reflect other brain and neurological disorders, Wenzel says, they could be used to speed up diagnosis or test the effectiveness of drugs in patients.
Wenzel pointed to the long wait times to see a psychiatrist in Saskatchewan as an example: If the “mini-brain” could be used to find out which antidepressants would work best for depressed patients, it could drastically reduce the time it takes to see a doctor and get a prescription.
Wenzel, a former high school science teacher who switched to research and academia, said “the essence of research” is formulating a hypothesis and producing targeted results through experiments that allow him to immerse himself in his work.
But the phenomenal success of the early “mini-brains” has been so astonishing that Wenzel admitted that his own brain still has a hard time making sense of it.
“I still can’t believe it, but I’m very encouraged that this is happening,” Wenzel said. “I think this is something that will have an impact on society, that will have real meaning and will make a difference. It has the potential to really change the landscape of healthcare.”
Reference: “Engineered Brain Organoids to Give Rise to Glial Cells and Neural Networks after 90 Days in Culture Exhibit Human-Specific Proteoforms,” Tyler J. Wenzel and Darrell D. Mousseau, April 18, 2024, Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.
DOI: 10.3389/fnsel.2024.1383688
