Nanomaterials for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

Abstract

Nanotechnology and nanomaterials have had a significant positive impact within the biomedical field for quite some time, and have included cardiovascular, cartilage, and neural tissue engineering applications. Due to its potential for treating neural tissue, current research is investigating the use of nanomaterials for spinal cord injury (SCI), an injury characterized by tissue damage and the disruption of communication between the brain to the body. To treat such an injury, cell-based therapy has shown promising results, and the following papers are recommended. This communication will focus on nanoparticle, carbon nanotubes, and self-assembling peptide approaches for treating SCI, as well as concerns of toxicity.