Neural tissue engineering

Neural tissue engineering is a specific sub-field of tissue engineering. Neural tissue engineering is primarily a search for strategies to eliminate inflammation and fibrosis upon implantation of foreign substances. Often foreign substances in the form of grafts and scaffolds are implanted to promote nerve regeneration and to repair damage caused to nerves of both the peripheral and central nervous systems by an injury.

Another situation that calls for implanting a foreign tissue is use of recording electrodes. Chronic Electrode Implants are a tool currently used in research applications to record signals from regions of the cerebral cortex. This technology may someday allow scientists to use the signals generated in the brain to control the limbs or prostheses of paralyzed patients.