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Human Neural Organoid Microphysiological Systems Show the Building Blocks Necessary for Basic Learning and Memory

ABSTRACT: Brain Microphysiological Systems including neural organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells offer a unique lens to study the intricate workings of the human brain. This paper investigates the foundational elements of learning and memory in neural organoids, by quantifying immediate early gene expression in response to chemical modulation, input-specific short- and long-term synaptic plasticity, neuronal network dynamics, connectivity, and criticality to demonstrate the utility of these organoids in basic science research. Neural organoids showed synapse formation, glutamatergic and GABAergic receptor expression, immediate early gene expression basally and evoked, functional connectivity, criticality, and synaptic plasticity in response to theta-burst stimulation. In addition, pharmacological interventions on GABAergic and glutamatergic receptors, and input-specific theta-burst stimulation further shed light on the capacity of neural organoids to mirror synaptic modulation, short- and long-term potentiation and depression, demonstrating their potential as tools for studying neurophysiological and neurological processes and informing therapeutic strategies for diseases.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE301725 | GEO | 2025/08/20

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:We developed a human cerebral organoid model derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with targeted genome editing to abolish protein expression of the Contactin Associated Protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk gene, mimicking loss-of-function mutations seen in patients. CNTNAP2-/- cerebral organoids displayed accelerated cell cycle, ventricular zone disorganisation and increased cortical folding. Proteomic analysis revealed disruptions in glutamatergic/GABAergic synaptic pathways and neurodevelopment, highlighting increased protein expression of corticogenesis and neurodevelopment-related genes such as Forkhead box protein G1 (FOXG1) and Paired box 6 (PAX6). Transcriptomic analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEG) belonging to inhibitory neuron-related gene networks. Interestingly, there was a weak correlation between the transcriptomic and proteomic data, suggesting nuanced translational control mechanisms. Along these lines we find upregulated Protein Kinase B (Akt)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling in CNTNAP2-/- organoids. Spatial transcriptomics analysis of CNTNAP2-/- ventricular zones demonstrated pervasive changes in gene expression, particularly in PAX6- cells, implicating upregulation of cell cycle regulation pathways, synaptic and glutamatergic/GABAergic pathways. We noted a significant overlap of all omics datasets with idiopathic ASD (macrocephaly) iPSC-derived telencephalic organoids DEG, where FOXG1 was upregulated, along with aberrant expression of Glutamate decarboxylase 1 (GAD1) and T-Box Brain Transcription Factor 1 (TBR1), suggesting altered GABAergic/glutamatergic neuron development. These findings potentially highlight a shared mechanism in the early cortical development of various forms of ASD, further elucidate the role of CNTNAP2 in ASD pathophysiology and cortical development and pave the way for targeted therapies using cerebral organoids as preclinical models.

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Human Neural Organoid Microphysiological Systems Show the Building Blocks Necessary for Basic Learning and Memory

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