UC San Diego

This study aimed to validate a novel injury device for modeling traumatic brain injury (TBI) in human cortical organoids, allowing for a more accurate representation of human TBI pathology. Initially, efforts focused on ensuring proper organoid development and injury induction. Challenges arose in quantifying injury severity due to organoid size variability, prompting exploration of alternative metrics such as the pre/post CI ratio, although its reliability diminished with increasing injury severity. Moreover, technical difficulties with the injury device necessitated improvements for consistency. Subsequent investigations aimed to replicate biological TBI outcomes, including increased apoptotic cell processes, neuronal reduction, and axon degeneration. Despite encountering discrepancies in baseline comparisons and organoid variability, notable trends emerged, particularly in Calpain-1 activity post-injury. While further experimentation and device refinement are warranted, this study represents a significant step forward in human TBI modeling, offering potential insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.