A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can quadruple your risk for developing dementia, and also increase your chances of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS. In a new study published in Cell Stem Cell, USC scientists use lab-grown human brain structures known as organoids to offer insights into why this is the case and how to mitigate the risk.

In the study, former postdoc Jesse Lai and PhD student Joshua Berlind from the USC Stem Cell laboratory of Justin Ichida used human patient-derived stem cells to grow rudimentary brain structures known as organoids in the lab. They then injured these organoids with high-intensity ultrasound waves.

To read more, visit https://stemcell.keck.usc.edu/organoids-reveal-how-to-protect-the-brain-against-dementia-and-als-following-traumatic-injury.