Graphene-based materials: an innovative approach for neural regeneration and spinal cord injury repair

RSC Advances, 2025 · DOI: 10.1039/d4ra07976k · Published: January 1, 2025

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are devastating, affecting the central nervous system and causing physical, emotional, and social problems. Recent advances in biomaterials, especially graphene-based materials (GBMs), offer tremendous potential for SCI therapy. GBMs have unique properties such as excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, making them suitable for neural repair. This review discusses the pathology of SCI, the characteristics of GBMs, and recent findings on how GBMs can improve neural structure and function after SCI. The review also explores potential future developments and products based on graphene, aiming to bring therapeutic benefits to those suffering from SCI.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Level: Review

Key Findings

1
GBMs can be modified to enhance their biocompatibility and effectiveness in stimulating nerve regeneration.
2
GBMs, such as graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), show promise in promoting neural stem cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation.
3
GBMs in various forms (scaffolds, hydrogels, electrodes) can help bridge injury gaps, reduce inflammation, and deliver drugs or growth factors to promote healing in SCI.

Research Summary

This review highlights the potential of graphene-based materials (GBMs) in treating spinal cord injuries (SCI) due to their unique physicochemical properties and ability to promote neural regeneration. GBMs can be used in various forms, including scaffolds, electrodes, and injectable hydrogels, to support cell growth, reduce inflammation, and facilitate tissue restoration in SCI. While GBMs show promising results in vitro and in vivo, further research is needed to fully understand their interactions with biological systems and ensure their safety for clinical applications.

Practical Implications

Development of Advanced Therapies

GBMs can be used to create advanced therapies for SCI, including targeted drug delivery systems and regenerative scaffolds.

Improved Functional Recovery

GBMs have the potential to improve functional recovery after SCI by promoting axonal growth, reducing inflammation, and restoring electrical connectivity.

Personalized Medicine Approaches

Understanding the correlations between scaffold features and biological responses can lead to personalized medicine approaches for SCI therapy.

Study Limitations

1
Limited understanding of long-term biocompatibility and toxicity of GBMs in vivo.
2
Challenges in translating in vitro and in vivo findings to human clinical applications.
3
Need for optimization of GBMs to suit the complex microenvironment of the injured spinal cord.

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