The
COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated a preexisting epidemic: the opioid crisis. Much literature has shown that the circumstances imposed by
COVID-19, such as social distancing regulations, medical and financial instability, and increased mental health issues, have been detrimental to those with
opioid use disorder (OUD). In addition, unexpected neurological sequelae in
COVID-19 patients suggest that
COVID-19 compromises neuroimmunity, induces
hypoxia, and causes
respiratory depression, provoking similar effects as those caused by
opioid exposure. Combined conditions of
COVID-19 and OUD could lead to exacerbated complications. With limited human in vivo options to study these complications, we suggest that iPSC-derived brain organoid models may serve as a useful platform to investigate the physiological connection between
COVID-19 and OUD. This mini-review highlights the advances of brain organoids in other neuropsychiatric and
infectious diseases and suggests their potential utility for investigating OUD and
COVID-19, respectively.