Harnessing conductive hydrogels for spinal cord injury repair: From bioelectrical design to neural circuit reconstruction

Le résumé fourni par la source

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes permanent neurological impairment as it disrupts both tissue structure and endogenous bioelectrical signaling. While traditional biomaterial scaffolds offer structural support, they often fall short of actively modulating the local electrophysiological environment needed for neural regeneration. In this context, conductive hydrogels (CHs) have emerged as a promising class of bioelectronic materials that combine tissue-like mechanical properties with electrical conductivity. They can act as “bioelectronic bridges” to reconnect damaged spinal cord tissue. This review critically summarizes recent progress in CHs for SCI repair, focusing on bioelectrical mechanisms, material design, and translational prospects. We begin by examining how endogenous electric fields, ion channels, and activity-dependent signals contribute to neural regeneration, and how CHs can reestablish electrical continuity to guide cellular responses. Subsequently, major material platforms are reviewed, ranging from conductive polymers (CPs) and two-dimensional nanomaterials to carbon nanostructures, metallic nanomaterials, and advanced hybrids with self-healing or responsive functionalities. Key design considerations and emerging fabrication approaches are critically evaluated. The discussion concludes with an outlook on remaining challenges and future directions toward clinical translation.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.