Lab-Grown Mini Brains Could Predict Which Alzheimer's Treatments Will Work

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine demonstrated that lab-grown brain organoids can predict how different Alzheimer's patients respond to medications. Published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, the study grew hundreds of hindbrain organoids from patient-derived stem cells. Alzheimer's affects 7M+ Americans. "Our model may identify patient subgroups more likely to respond to certain drugs," said study leader Vasiliki Machairaki. Alzheimer's organoids showed distinct molecular changes. When treated with escitalopram, some responded while others showed little change. The organoids release extracellular vesicles that could enable "liquid biopsy" diagnostics. **Summary:** Brain organoids from Alzheimer's patients predict drug responses and may enable liquid biopsy diagnostics.