Table 1.

Summary of Au NP characteristics for modulation of neural activity. Plasmon peaks have only been indicated when relevant to the study.

Shape	Size	Plasmon Peak	Functionalization	Applications	Observed Effects
Nanorods	48.6 nm × 13.8 nm	780 nm	Poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid), silica	Peripheral nerve regeneration	Increased neurite length [6]
Nanospheres	40 nm	-	Polyethylene glycol (PEG)	Peripheral nerve regeneration	Hind limb motor recovery, attenuation of microglial response, enhanced motor neuron protection, increased remyelination [7]
Nanospheres	8.6 nm	-	Manganese-doped	Peripheral nerve regeneration	Increased neurite length [26]
Nanospheres	10 nm	-	-	Integration into nerve conduits	Increased neurite length [27]
Nanospheres	2–22 nm	-	-	Integration into nerve conduits	Promote adhesion and proliferation of Schwann cells [28]
Nanospheres	5 nm	-	Chitosan	Integration into nerve conduits	Regeneration of the sciatic nerve [29]
Nanorods	Aspect ratio 3.4	780 nm	Silica	Modulation of electrical activity	Action potentials in primary auditory neurons [10]
Nanorods	80.4 nm × 15.3 nm	977 nm	-	Modulation of electrical activity	Action potentials in rat sciatic nerves in vivo [11]
Nanorods	71.3 nm × 18.5 nm	785 nm	Amine-terminated PEG	Modulation of electrical activity	Inhibition of neural activity in primary hippocampal neurons [12]
Nanospheres	20 nm	532 nm	Functional groups that target voltage-gated sodium, TRPV1 and P2X3 ion channels	Modulation of electrical activity	Action potentials in dorsal root ganglion cells [15]
Nanorods	48.6 nm × 13.8 nm	780 nm	Poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid)	Modulation of Ca2+ dynamics	Intracellular Ca2+ transients [8]
Nanorods	60.0 nm × 15.0 nm	780 nm	Cationic protein/lipid complex	Modulation of Ca2+ dynamics	Ca2+ influx by TRPV1 activation [29]
Nanorods	82.9 nm × 13.4 nm	982 nm	Streptavidin	Modulation of Ca2+ dynamics	Ca2+ transients in astrocytes [30]