Table 2.

Evidence regarding in vivo applications of nanotechnology in neuroregeneration

Approach	Model	Drug	Outcome	Reference
Optic nerve regeneration
RADA nanofibre scaffold	Hamster optic nerve acute transection model	NA	Promoted axon regeneration and partial visual restoration	Ellis-Behnke et al. (2006)61
RADA nanofibre scaffold	Hamster optic nerve acute transection model	NA	Promoted axon regeneration	Liang et al. (2011)62
PLGA nanospheres	Rat optic nerve crush injury model	EGFR kinase inhibitor (AG1478)	Promoted axon regeneration	Robinson et al. (2011)68
Spinal cord injury
PHPMA–RGD hydrogel	Rat transection model	NA	Promoted axon regeneration with partial recovery of hindlimb function	Woerly et al. (2001)76
PLGA–PEG hydrogel	Rat transection model	Neurotrophin-3	Promoted axon regeneration with functional recovery (BBB score)	Piantino et al. (2006)78
Multilayer PLGA scaffold	Rat hemisection model	Neural stem cells	Enhanced axon regeneration and reduced glial scar with functional recovery (BBB score)	Teng et al. (2002)79
Dextran sulphate-gelatin nanoscaffold	Rat transection model	Embryonic spinal cord cells	Promoted function recovery with evidence of reinnervation	Rochkind et al. (2006)80
IKVAV peptide amphiphile nanofibre	Mouse contusion model	NA	Enhanced axon regeneration and reduced glial scar with functional recovery (BBB score)	Tysseling-Mattiace et al. (2008)88

Abbreviations: BBB, blood–brain barrier; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; NA, not applicable; PEG, polyethylene glycol; PHPMA, poly(N-[2-hydroxypropyl]methacrylamide); PLGA, poly(lactic-co-glycolic-acid); RADA, Arg–Ala–Asp–Ala.