Neural organoids as advanced tools for neurotoxicity modeling

Neurotoxicity studies often depend on traditional cell-based monoculture assays and animal models, which have a number of limitations. In particular, the existing models either lack the appropriate physiological context, do not include a functional blood–brain barrier, or include cells from non-human species. The recent emergence of organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells has provided new opportunities to understand disease etiology, discover drugs, evaluate efficacy, and evaluate toxicity in physiologically relevant contexts. Organoids comprised of organ specific precursor cells can potentially overcome the limitations of the traditional 2D cell culture and animal models in neurotoxicology studies. Here, we provide a review of recent developments of human neural organoids, and summarize their applications in neurotoxicity testing. We also discuss their several limitations, and provide a future perspective on their widespread use in neurotoxicity studies.