Lab-grown brain organoids have been called “mini-brains” by some of their more enthusiastic proponents, but the reality is that these clumps of neural cells are some ways from replicating the performance of the human brain. Instead, they act as useful models of some brain processes for experimental use.

Still, these organoids have become increasingly complex. A new study shows that they can master a form of feedback learning that is a benchmark for adaptability and real-time processing in neural systems.

The study could lead to organoids better positioned to study how learning processes go awry in brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.