“Scientists Create Model of Human Pain Pathway in a Dish: A Breakthrough in Understanding Sensory Disorders”

In a groundbreaking achievement, scientists have successfully recreated a model of the human pain pathway in a dish by connecting four separate brain organoids. This remarkable feat, led by Dr. Sergiu Pasca of Stanford University, has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of sensory disorders, particularly those affecting pain perception.

The journey of pain signals typically begins on the body’s surface, where nerve terminals in the skin send information to the spinal cord, which then relays it to the thalamus and eventually to the cortex of the brain, where the signals are interpreted as pain. Dr. Pasca and his team sought to replicate this complex pathway in a laboratory setting by creating four distinct brain organoids, each resembling a specific type of brain or spinal tissue.

After coaxing the organoids to connect with each other, the team observed as they formed a pathway that mimicked the transmission of pain signals in the human body. This interconnected network, dubbed an “assembloid,” demonstrated spontaneous communication between the different parts, showcasing the potential for studying how pain signals travel through the body.

To test the model, the researchers exposed the nerve endings on one organoid to a chemical that induces a sensation of heat, similar to the burning sensation caused by chili peppers. They observed the activation of neurons and the transmission of information through the pathway, highlighting its ability to detect and respond to painful stimuli.

While the model is designed to detect a painful stimulus, it does not elicit an emotional response to discomfort, indicating that it does not “feel pain” in the same way a human would. The findings of this study have been published in the journal Nature, offering a new platform for studying pain signals and potentially developing novel approaches to block them.

Dr. Stephen Waxman of Yale University, who was not involved in the research, noted that the model could provide a valuable tool for testing potential pain-relieving drugs. Additionally, the model may offer insights into rare genetic conditions like man on fire syndrome, where individuals experience intense pain in response to mild stimuli due to a gene mutation.

While the pain pathway model has its limitations, such as the restricted distance signals can travel in a dish compared to the human body, it represents a significant advancement in our ability to study the nervous system. Organoids like these provide researchers with a new avenue for investigating complex biological processes and developing targeted treatments for sensory disorders.

Overall, this innovative research holds promise for advancing our understanding of pain perception and could pave the way for more effective therapies for individuals suffering from sensory disorders.