HU conditions cannot be considered as a functional deafferentation, as suggested in the literature, but only as a reduction of afferent information at the beginning of the HU period.
Spinal
cord injury (SCI) causes severe motor or sensory damage
that leads to long-term disabilities due to disruption of electrical
conduction in neuronal pathways. Despite current clinical therapies
being used to limit the propagation of cell or tissue damage, the
need for neuroregenerative therapies remains. Conductive hydrogels
have been considered a promising neuroregenerative therapy due to
their ability to provide a pro-regenerative microenvironment and flexible
structure, which conforms to a complex SCI lesion. Furthermore, their
conductivity can be utilized for noninvasive electrical signaling
in dictating neuronal cell behavior. However, the ability of hydrogels
to guide directional axon growth to reach the distal end for complete
nerve reconnection remains a critical challenge. In this Review, we
highlight recent advances in conductive hydrogels, including the incorporation
of conductive materials, fabrication techniques, and cross-linking
interactions. We also discuss important characteristics for designing
conductive hydrogels for directional growth and regenerative therapy.
We propose insights into electrical conductivity properties in a hydrogel
that could be implemented as guidance for directional cell growth
for SCI applications. Specifically, we highlight the practical implications
of recent findings in the field, including the potential for conductive
hydrogels to be used in clinical applications. We conclude that conductive
hydrogels are a promising neuroregenerative therapy for SCI and that
further research is needed to optimize their design and application.
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