Scientists in Ireland have discovered improvements in growing “mini brains” in laboratories, which could benefit studies into strokes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The research examined the potential development of blood vessels in small clumps of brain cells – referred to as cerebral organoids or “mini brains”. The result was that organoids grew bigger and had fewer cells dying in the middle. They also observed behaviour similar to the protective blood-brain barrier, which could mean the research is relevant for studies on diseases that involve the brain. “And we also saw that cells involved in forming some of those blood vessels came from the organoid itself.

Source: Irish Examiner December 28, 2025 11:39 UTC