Conductive Polymers and Hydrogels for Neural Tissue Engineering

Conventional approaches for the rescue and repair of the damaged neural tissue generally remain ineffective and do not provide functional recovery due to the difficulties in mimicking the complex anatomical functioning of the nervous system. Mimicking the natural microenvironment of the glial, neuronal, and stromal cells of the nervous system through the use of functional biomaterials-based platforms, and further combining these platforms with stem cell-based therapies has been considered as a promising alternative strategy for the efficient regeneration and functional recovery of the damaged neural tissue. The functionalities of biomaterial-based platforms provide 3D matrices with desired pore sizes, porosities, elasticities, and wettability along with various chemical, biological, and topographical cues that favor cellular attachment, growth, proliferation, directed alignment, and differentiation as well as proper nutrient flow for neural tissue regeneration. In addition, considering the inherent presence of electrical fields and synapses in the nervous system, application of electrical stimuli through conductive biomaterials-based platforms in the form of films, hydrogels, fibers, composites, and flexible electronic interfaces has also been used to enhance the nerve regeneration process. These platforms providing electrical stimuli have been particularly used for controlling neurite extension, directed migration of neuronal and glial cells, and differentiation of stem cells. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in conductive biomaterials-based platforms and the use of electrical stimuli to control cellular behavior to enable neural regeneration.