In vivo modeling of human neuron dynamics and Down syndrome

• DOI: 10.1126/science.aau1810
• Publication Date: 2018-10-11T18:04:38Z
• Authors: Raquel Real; Manuel Peter; Antonio Trabalza; Shabana Khan; Mark A. Smith; Joana Dopp; Samuel J. Barnes; Ayiba Momoh; Alessio Strano; Emanuela Volpi; Graham Knott; Frederick J. Livesey; Vincenzo De Paola
• Keywords: INTEGRATE; General Science & Technology; brain; Neurogenesis; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; trisomy-21; Neuroimaging; Mice, SCID; Models, Biological; Mice; TRISOMY-21; Neural Stem Cells; CONNECTIVITY; CEREBRAL-CORTEX; MD Multidisciplinary; Animals; Humans; AXONAL BOUTON DYNAMICS; alzheimers-disease; integrate; BRAIN; Cerebral Cortex; Neurons; Science & Technology; Neuronal Plasticity; pluripotent stem-cells; axonal bouton dynamics; differentiation; structural plasticity; Axons; Multidisciplinary Sciences; ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE; DIFFERENTIATION; Microscopy, Fluorescence, Multiphoton; STRUCTURAL PLASTICITY; cerebral-cortex; connectivity; Synapses; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Down Syndrome; Single-Cell Analysis; PLURIPOTENT STEM-CELLS; Neuroglia

Development of human brain neurons

The earliest stages of human brain development are very difficult to monitor, but using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can help to elucidate the process. Real et al. transplanted neural progenitors derived from human iPSCs into the brains of adult mice. They used intravital imaging to visualize how resulting neurons grew and connected. The human cells produced neurons that integrated and developed synaptic networks with oscillatory activity. Dendritic pruning was observed and involved a process of branch retraction, not degeneration. Cells derived from individuals with Down syndrome, upon transplantation into the mouse brain, produced neurons that grew normally but showed reduced dendritic spine turnover and less network activity.

Science , this issue p. eaau1810