Many genetic variants have been linked to psychiatric disorders, but their effects on neuronal function are not yet fully understood. Human brain organoids offer a way to investigate these connections by modeling aspects of brain development and cellular communication. Understanding how genetic differences affect neuronal networks, however, requires researchers to look beyond individual cells and examine how they function together.
This case study follows researchers at Erasmus University Medical Center as they use wide-field calcium imaging to investigate how specific neuronal populations contribute to network activity in human brain organoids, shedding light on the cellular mechanisms associated with psychiatric disorders.
Download this case study to learn:
- Why understanding neuronal networks requires looking beyond individual cells
- How wide-field calcium imaging captures network activity while preserving cellular detail
- How researchers connect genetic variation, neuronal identity, and network function to investigate psychiatric disorders
