Human Neurons Used to Study Mental Illness

According to a new publication in Stem Cell Reports, stem-cell-derived neurons could be useful for studying the chemistry underlying a variety of brain disorders. Neurons derived from human stem cells produce and release neurotransmitters, the molecules that allow cells in the brain to communicate with one another. The authors found distinct differences in the production of these molecules in neurons from patients with schizophrenia compared to those who did not have schizophrenia. These results suggest cells from patients with neurological disorders can be studied alongside healthy cells to determine the cause of some diseases.