Using Mouse-Human Chimeric Brain to Study Neuronal Development and Diseases

The cerebral cortex is a highly complex structure that consistsof several hundreds of different types of neurons, organized intospecific cortical layers and areas, that display specific profilesof gene expression, morphology, excitability and connectivity.Embryonic stem (ESC) and induced (IPSC) pluripotent stemcells constitute a promising tool for the modelling and treatmentof human neural diseases.Here, we will discuss how the transplantation of ESC/iPSCderived cortical neurons can lead to functional integration intodeveloping and damaged cortical circuits, and how it can revealnovel mechanisms of human brain development and diseases,as well as open new perspectives for the repair of lesions of thedamaged cerebral cortex.