Scientists Use Mini-Brains to Study Mitochondrial Brain Diseases

Researchers at the University of Bergen have developed mini-brains—tiny 3D lab-grown models that mimic real human brain tissue. These models are helping scientists study how problems in mitochondria, the energy-producing parts of cells, cause brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s.

Mitochondrial diseases often result from mutations in the POLG gene, which disrupts the mitochondria’s ability to produce energy. This affects the brain and muscles, causing symptoms like muscle weakness, seizures, and neurodegeneration. While traditional lab models use flat, 2D cell cultures, they fail to replicate the complexity of real brain tissue. In contrast, mini-brains can grow multiple brain cell types and self-organize, making them more accurate for studying human brain disorders.

These advanced 3D models allow scientists to observe how mitochondrial diseases progress at the cellular level. They also serve as testing grounds for potential therapies, offering a more reliable alternative to animal models, which often fail to translate into successful human treatments. The ability to generate mini-brains from patient cells could one day lead to personalized medicine, where therapies are tailored to individuals based on their unique cellular responses.

While challenges remain in perfecting these models, mini-brains represent a significant leap forward in understanding brain diseases and testing new treatments. This breakthrough offers hope for millions of people suffering from mitochondrial-related brain disorders.