Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells: A Unique Model for Studying the Human Brain in Health and Disease

The discovery of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has opened the new opportunities for fundamental, translational, and clinical research. The ability for unlimited growth and differentiation into various cell types makes iPSCs a unique model for a wide range of scientific research. The possibility to edit the iPSCs genome of patients with hereditary diseases allows them to be used in regenerative medicine. This review will provide data on the use of iPSCs to study the functioning of the human nervous system in normal and pathological conditions. Special attention will be paid to the production, cultivation and application of three-dimensional (3D) cultures of neuronal and glial cells for the study of the human nervous system, as well as the achievements and prospects of cell replacement therapy.