Cervical Cortex Organoids and Infant Genome Sequencing

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, utilized lab-grown miniature brains, known as cerebral cortex organoids, to observe variances in brain development during the early stages of pregnancy in children with autism compared to neurotypical controls. Lead author Eric Courchesne stated, “We noticed that the larger the size of the embryonic cerebral cortex organoid, the more severe the child’s later autism symptoms.” These differences could be observed as early as the first trimester of pregnancy, marking a significant breakthrough in comprehending the development of autism in the womb.

Preliminary findings from research in North Carolina and New York reveal that sequencing a child’s genome at birth can identify conditions that traditional newborn screening tests may miss. The cost of sequencing an entire genome has dropped significantly in the past 20 years, making it comparable to routine medical tests such as colonoscopies and MRI scans.

A new blood test developed in Europe shows promise in predicting Parkinson’s disease up to seven years before symptoms manifest. This test, which uses artificial intelligence, marks a significant advancement in the early diagnosis of the disease caused by nerve cell degeneration in the brain region responsible for movement.