Fig. 4
From: Current and novel polymeric biomaterials for neural tissue engineering
Polymer hydrogel supports the regeneration of the brain tissue. Stroke causes reactive astrocytes to inhibit the regeneration of the brain tissue. A polymeric hydrogel seeded with neural cells is surgically implanted into the cavity caused by the stroke. With time, the reactive astrocytes are mitigated and the host’s neurons can communicate with the cells seeded inside the hydrogel, reforming neural connections and restoring the original functions of the brain tissue