Peripheral Nerve Injury, Diagnosis and Treatment

*Peripheral Nerve Disorders and Treatment*

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**Chapter 6**

**Abstract**

Biomaterials and Cellular Systems

at the Forefront of Peripheral

*Rui Damásio Alvites, Mariana Vieira Branquinho,* 

*Stefano Geuna, Artur Severo Proença Varejão* 

*Ana Rita Caseiro, Sílvia Santos Pedrosa, Ana Lúcia Luís,* 

Peripheral nerve injuries remain a common clinical complication, and currently available therapies present significant limitations, often resulting in poor and suboptimal outcomes. Despite significant developments in microsurgical approaches in the last decades, no effective treatment options have been disclosed. Current research focuses on the optimization of such microsurgical techniques and on their combination with other pro-regenerative factors, such as mesenchymal stem cells or biomaterials. Mesenchymal stem cells present a remarkable capacity for bioactive molecule production that modulates inflammatory and regenerative processes, stimulating peripheral nerve regeneration. In parallel, efforts have been directed towards the development of biomaterial nerve guidance channels and nerve conduits. These biomaterials have been optimized in terms of biodegradability, ability to release bioactive factors, incorporation of cellular agents, and internal matrix architecture (to enable cellular migration and mimic native tissue morphology and to generate and bear specific electrical activity). The current literature review presents relevant advances in the development of mesenchymal stem cell and biomaterial-based therapeutic approaches aiming at the peripheral nerve tissue regeneration in diverse lesion scenarios, also exploring the advances achieved by

**Keywords:** peripheral nerve injuries, nerve regeneration, cell-based therapies,

Peripheral nerve injuries result in temporary or permanent interruption of the connection between the nervous system and the effector organ, a phenomena defined as denervation, leading to functional changes and, ultimately, atrophic events [1]. These injuries bear significant impact to patients' health and well-being at both functional/physiological and psychological levels [2]. The negative impact of such morbidities is not limited to human individuals, and veterinary patients

Nerve Regeneration

our research group in this field in recent years.

biomaterials, animal models

**1. Introduction**

*and Ana Colette Maurício*

### **Chapter 6**
