GoKawiilStanford study finds brain develops from two distinct stem cell lineages
Stanford School of Medicine researchers report that the human brain forms from two separate types of stem cells rather than one uniform source. One lineage, marked by the Otx2 gene, produces the midbrain and forebrain responsible for higher-order thinking and speech, while a distinct stem cell type gives rise to the hindbrain, which governs basic functions like heartbeat and breathing. Researcher Kyle Loh says this finding allows scientists to grow hindbrain neurons in a lab dish for the first time.
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Because hindbrain neurons have been notoriously hard to culture, this discovery could open new avenues for studying disorders tied to basic bodily functions, such as breathing or heart-rate regulation disorders. The finding also challenges long-standing assumptions about brain regionalization, suggesting textbook models of a single unified brain structure may need revision. If confirmed, it could reshape how researchers approach neurodevelopmental research and stem-cell-based brain modeling.
- Stanford researchers identify two distinct stem cell origins for the brain
- One lineage forms the hindbrain (basic functions), the other the midbrain/forebrain (higher cognition)
- Discovery may enable lab-grown hindbrain neurons for future research
Source: techspot.com — Alfonso Maruccia, 2026-09-23
Published there as: “Stanford researchers say the brain is actually two organs pretending to be one”
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