The Potential and Prospects of Hydrogel Applications in Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prevalent neurological disorder that induces severe neurological dysfunction and markedly reduces quality of life owing to its complex pathophysiology and limited therapeutic options. Conventional pharmacological and surgical interventions show restricted efficacy because of poor blood-brain barrier penetration and inability to address secondary injury cascades. In recent years, hydrogels have shown significant potential for TBI repair due to their superior biocompatibility, high water content, and ability to mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM). This review systematically examines recent advances in hydrogel applications for TBI therapy, focusing on their roles as drug delivery platforms, stem cell scaffolds, neuroregeneration promoters, inflammation modulators, and angiogenesis facilitators. Particular emphasis is placed on the therapeutic benefits and underlying mechanisms of ECM-derived hydrogels, self-assembling peptide (SAP) hydrogels, stimuli-responsive smart hydrogels, and functionalized multicomponent systems. Current challenges and limitations in hydrogel applications are also discussed, along with future research directions, to provide scientific rationale and practical guidance for precision TBI therapy.