Mass Generation, Neuron Labeling, and 3D Imaging of Minibrains.

Minibrain is a spheroid model, composed of a mixed population of neurons and glial cells, generated from human iPSC derived neural stem cells. Despite the advances in human 3D models such as aggregates, spheroids and organoids, there is a lack of labeling and imaging methodologies to characterize these models. In this study, we present a step-by-step methodology to generate human minibrain nurseries and novel strategies to subsequently label projection neurons, perform immunohistochemistry and 3D imaging of the minibrains at large multiplexable scales.

Developmental stage-dependent impact of midazolam on calbindin, calretinin and parvalbumin expression in the immature rat medial prefrontal cortex during the brain growth spurt.

Background: Human epidemiological data suggest a link between anesthesia exposure in early postnatal life and subsequent lasting neurocognitive alterations. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of this potential association is of paramount importance in an attempt to develop protective strategies. While general anesthetics are powerful modulators of GABAergic neurotransmission, little is known about the impact of these drugs on developing GABAergic networks.