Hydrogels and cryogels as in vitro engineered 3D neurodegenerative models: scope and significance

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a diverse set of incurable and debilitating conditions that have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. A thorough understanding of the causes and mechanisms underlying these diseases is needed in order to develop effective treatments. Model systems-in vitro as well as in vivo have helped the researchers gain insights into the disease mechanisms. However, these model systems are unable to precisely mimic the pathophysiology of NDs, making them less physiologically relevant. Therefore, to bridge this gap, 3D in vitro model systems are being developed, which are better suited to recapitulate the specific features of NDs. Unlike other reviews that address these 3D in vitro model systems in a broader sense, without considering the unique material characteristics and applications of specific scaffold types, this review focuses exclusively on biomaterial-based 3D in vitro model systems, viz. hydrogels and their technically evolved versions-cryogels. Both these classes of biomaterials possess tunable physical and chemical properties, thereby serving as advanced models for NDs. This comprehensive review provides a detailed insight into hydrogel- and cryogel-based 3D culture systems, comparing their structural characteristics, mechanical design and bio-functionality, along with their ability to mimic the complex pathological processes o

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

Browse all related research

Filter the research library by this study's title keywords, author, or publication year.