Nerve regeneration

Another area where polymers are making a significant difference in nerve regeneration is the use of polymers to encapsulate and release trophic factors, or encapsulate cells that release nerve growth factor or other agents that enhance the regeneration process. This chapter details the advances in the use of polymeric biomaterials that have been explored for nerve regeneration in the peripheral and central nervous systems. 

Current polymeric entubulization repair methods for peripheral nerve regeneration use various nondegradable and biodegradable materials. The most common nondegradable material investigated has been silicone rubber. Medical grade silicone rubber, polydimethylsiloxane, maintains its shape and can be filled with neurotrophic factors or extracellular... 

Even though early success has been demonstrated with the use of polymers for peripheral and central nerve regeneration, it can be enhanced further by providing site-specific release of growth factors and other chemical cues to the regenerating axons, as described in the next section. 

Growth factor administration may also be a useful treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer s disease or Parkinson s disease, which are characterized by the degeneration of neuronal cell populations. It was found that the NGF promoted nerve regeneration within conduits at an early stage, but the effect did not last after one month. This was attributed to the rapid decline in NGF concentrations in the conduit due to degradation in aqueous media and leakage from the... 

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