Human brain organoids containing microglia that have arisen innately adapt to a β-amyloid challenge better than those in which microglia are integrated by co-culture.

Our unique observations suggest that BOs with innate microglia model the response of a healthy brain to Aβ, and by extension the initial stages of Aβ challenge. It would be impossible to model these early stages of pathogenesis in BOs where microglia are already compromised, such as those with microglia incorporated by co-culture.