Highlights ■ Guided cortical neural organoids show consistent cytoarchitecture and robust network activity. ■ Unguided neural organoids are heterogeneous, with glia, microglia, and choroid plexus cells. ■ Guided neural organoids suit cortical development and neurodevelopmental disease studies. ■ Unguided neural organoids are ideal for modeling neuroinflammation and diverse cell interactions. ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to compare guided dorsal forebrain neural organoids with unguided neural organoids, focusing on differences in structural organization, cellular composition, and functional properties. Methods: Using the […]