To assess how this interaction affected development, the team compared gene expression in the cortical region of the assembloid with that of a standalone cortical organoid. The cortical tissue connected to the thalamus showed signs of greater maturity, indicating that thalamus cortex communication promotes cortical growth and development.

Thalamic Signals Drive Neural Synchrony

The scientists also examined how signals traveled through the assembloid. They found that neural activity spread from the thalamus into the cortex in wave like patterns, creating synchronized activity across cortical networks.