Dynamic management of traumatic brain injury in rat: injectable hydrogels and future directions

The precise treatment and dynamic management of traumatic brain injury pose a substantial challenge to the global healthcare sector. This challenge arises not only from the complex and dynamically evolving pathological microenvironment that follows brain injury and the heterogeneity of the damage but also from the critical importance of maintaining the structural integrity of brain tissue. The intricate pathophysiological milieu subsequent to traumatic brain injury (TBI) hinders the reparative processes, thereby rendering current therapeutic strategies insufficient to satisfy clinical treatment demands. Injectable hydrogels represent a novel and promising biomaterial, offering a groundbreaking platform technology for the repair of traumatic brain injuries. Their distinctive benefits, such as minimally invasive delivery, in situ molding, self-healing capabilities, and adaptability to irregular injury sites, position them as an emerging approach in this field. This study provides a systematic review of the current research landscape and pathogenesis associated with TBI, followed by an in-depth analysis of the application of injectable hydrogels in TBI management. It further explores the use of injectable hydrogels across various TBI models and concludes with a discussion on prospective developmental trajectories. The objective is to elucidate the significance of injectable hydrogels in addressing the limitations of conventional therapies, thereby advancing the implementation of innovative therapeutic strategies for TBI treatment and repair.