'Mini-brains' model myelin damage and regeneration, offering new tool for MS drug testing
Researchers have developed 3D "mini-brains" they hope will help speed up the search for much-needed drug treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune condition affecting almost 3 million people worldwide. Their research has been published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Researchers in Australia and New Zealand have created a 3D "mini-brain" model of the human central nervous system using adult stem cells. This tiny organoid, roughly the size of a grain of rice, provides a highly detailed view of how myelin, the protective sheath around nerve fibers, is damaged and repaired in multiple sclerosis (MS).
Led by The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Monash University, the research team has developed a novel tool that could accelerate the search for effective drug treatments for MS, an autoimmune condition affecting nearly 3 million people worldwide. Associate Professor Samantha Barton, who leads the Myelin in Health and Disease Group at The Florey, explained that while animal models have been traditionally used for disease research, human-relevant models are crucial for developing drugs that actually work in people.
The mini-brains allow researchers to simulate the immune system's attack on myelin and observe the body's natural process of remyelination in a controlled laboratory setting. This model can help identify new ways to slow or prevent MS progression and serve as a platform for screening drugs that protect or restore myelin. With further refinement, the researchers hope this innovative tool will become a valuable resource for the global MS research community, ultimately contributing to better treatments and improved quality of life for those living with the disease.
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