Researchers Develop Scalable Neuron Networks to Study Brain Rhythms

New 2D cell model provides insights into how coordinated brain activity emerges and responds to perturbations

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, in collaboration with the University of California San Diego and BioMarin Pharmaceutical, have developed a simplified, scalable human cell model to study how coordinated brain rhythms emerge and respond to various perturbations. The team grew two-dimensional networks of human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells and used multi-electrode arrays to monitor their activity over time, observing the emergence of "nested oscillations" - slow waves with faster rhythmic structure. They then tested how specific biological mechanisms, such as GABA signaling and potassium channels, influence these rhythms, providing insights into the factors that govern the development of coordinated brain activity.

Why it matters

Understanding the mechanisms behind the emergence of coordinated brain rhythms is crucial for studying neurological and psychiatric disorders, as disruptions to this process have been linked to conditions ranging from epilepsy to neurodevelopmental disorders. The new 2D neuron network model provides a scalable and controllable platform to systematically test how genetic backgrounds, disease models, and potential treatments affect network dynamics.

The details

The researchers grew two-dimensional networks of human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and used multi-electrode arrays to monitor their activity over time. As the networks matured, the researchers observed the emergence of "nested oscillations" - slow waves with faster rhythmic structure layered within them - across frequency ranges commonly seen in brain recordings (delta, theta and alpha). They then tested how specific biological mechanisms, such as GABA signaling and potassium channels, influence these rhythms. The team found that nested rhythms were reduced when GABA signaling was blocked, and that increasing the proportion of GABAergic neurons in the network caused these rhythms to emerge earlier. They also found that different potassium channel perturbations can influence rhythmic organization in distinct ways.

  • The study was published on January 24, 2026.

The players

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

A non-profit research organization focused on discovering the fundamental molecular causes of disease and developing innovative therapies.

University of California San Diego (UCSD)

A public research university located in San Diego, California.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical

A global biotechnology company that develops and commercializes innovative therapies for serious and life-threatening rare and genetic diseases.

Anne Bang, PhD

The study's senior and co-corresponding author, associate professor in the Center for Therapeutics Discovery at Sanford Burnham Prebys and director of Cell Biology at the Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics.

Bradley Voytek, PhD

The study's co-corresponding author and professor and chair of Cognitive Sciences at UCSD.

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What they’re saying

“The results of these and other experiments show that this simplified 2D neuronal network model captures key features of network maturation, and gives us the scale and control needed for systematic testing.”

— Anne Bang, PhD, Associate professor, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

“Organoids are invaluable for modeling aspects of brain organization. What we add here is a complementary 2D platform that emphasizes experimental control and throughput, capabilities that can be especially useful for benchmarking and systematic testing in disease modeling and early-stage therapeutic evaluation.”

— Anne Bang, PhD, Associate professor, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

What’s next

The researchers plan to use this 2D neuron network model to further investigate how specific genetic backgrounds, disease models, and potential treatments affect the emergence and maturation of coordinated brain rhythms.

The takeaway

This new scalable human cell model provides a practical way to study the fundamental mechanisms behind the emergence of coordinated brain activity, which is crucial for understanding neurological and psychiatric disorders. By combining this 2D platform with advanced analysis techniques, researchers can systematically test how various factors influence network dynamics, paving the way for more effective disease modeling and therapeutic development.