Conductive polymers to modulate the post-stroke neural environment

Brain Res Bull. 2019 May:148:10-17. doi: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.02.015. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Abstract

Despite the prevalence of stroke, therapies to augment recovery remain limited. Here we focus on the use of conductive polymers for cell delivery, drug release, and electrical stimulation to optimize the post-stroke environment for neural recovery. Conductive polymers and their interactions with in vitro and in vivo neural systems are explored. The ability to continuously modify the neural environment utilizing conductive polymers provides applications in directing stem cell differentiation and increasing neural repair. This exciting class of polymers offers new approaches to optimizing the post-stroke brain to improve functional recovery.

Keywords: Conductive polymer; Polypyrrole; Stem cells; Stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Humans
  • Polymers / therapeutic use*
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use
  • Recovery of Function
  • Stroke / therapy*
  • Stroke Rehabilitation / methods*

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Pyrroles
  • polypyrrole