Emerging Roles of Nanofibers and Hydrogels in the Field of Brain Tissue Engineering and Regeneration

Neuroplasticity, or brain tissue repair, is the brain's natural ability to adapt to neuronal injury by means of reorganisation and creation of new synaptic connections. Studies done lately show that especially in older people, neuroplasticity is still present all across the human lifetime, hence it is very important for healing from traumatic brain injuries and various neurological disorders. Effective therapy strategies are greatly hampered by the natural complexity and anatomical complexity of the brain. This challenge emphasises the need of novel biomaterials able to mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) and support tissue regeneration. Nanofibers and hydrogels have become essential biomaterials in the domain of brain tissue engineering. Ranging from high mechanical strength to high surface area-to-volume ratio, nanofibers are the perfect scaffold for cell adhesion and growth. Different kinds of nanofibers, defined by their material makeup and production techniques, have shown great promise in promoting brain regeneration. Hydrogels, hydrophilic polymeric networks that absorb large amounts of water, can be tailored to create physical or chemical gels in situ, hence creating a supportive environment good for cellular growth and tissue regeneration. Improved biocompatibility, better regenerative efficacy, and targeted therapeutic delivery to injury sites have come from a synergistic approach combining nanofibers and hydrogels functionalised with bioactive chemicals including collagen/polyethylene, hyaluronan/PEG/chitosan, and keratin/PNIPAM composites. For those with traumatic brain injuries and other neurodegenerative diseases, this all-encompassing strategy offers great promise in promoting rehabilitation and quality of life.