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Advances in Neurorepair and Regeneration

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 1721

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Physiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 2 Petru Rares Str., 200349 Craiova, Romania
Interests: regenerative medicine; neuroscience; brain injury; stroke; neurodegenerative diseases; neuronal damage; neuroinflammation; neurorepair; neuroplasticity
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Guest Editor
School of Medicine, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
Interests: neuroprotection; neural stem cells; neurodegenerative diseases; neurodevelopmental disorders; neurogenesis; central nervous system; neuroblasts
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of neurorepair and regeneration has witnessed remarkable progress in recent years, driven by advances in molecular neuroscience, biomaterials, stem cell biology, and pharmacological innovation. Despite these developments, translating experimental findings into effective clinical interventions for neurological disorders remains a profound challenge. This Special Issue, “Advances in Neurorepair and Regeneration”, aims to highlight cutting-edge discoveries and interdisciplinary approaches that expand our understanding of neural recovery and functional restoration. We welcome contributions focusing on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity, cellular reprogramming, and axonal regeneration, as well as innovative therapeutic strategies employing biomaterials, neurotrophic factors, small molecules, or gene-based interventions. Of particular interest are studies bridging experimental models with translational perspectives, shedding light on how emerging therapies may ultimately reshape clinical practice in stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, peripheral nerve injury, and neurodegenerative diseases. By bringing together novel insights from basic, preclinical, and translational research, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the next generation of neurorepair strategies, guiding the future of regenerative medicine in neuroscience.

Dr. Andrei Gresita
Dr. Tiago Santos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • neurorepair
  • regeneration
  • neuroplasticity
  • cellular reprogramming
  • biomaterials
  • stroke
  • spinal cord injury
  • traumatic brain injury
  • neurodegenerative diseases

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

32 pages, 2135 KB  
Review
Phase-Specific Evaluation of Sciatic Nerve Regeneration in Preclinical Studies: A Review of Functional Assessment, Emerging Therapies, and Translational Value
by Denisa Mădălina Viezuină, Irina (Mușa) Burlacu, Andrei Greșiță, Irina-Mihaela Matache, Elena-Anca Târtea, Mădălina Iuliana Mușat, Manuel-Ovidiu Amzoiu, Bogdan Cătălin, Veronica Sfredel and Smaranda Ioana Mitran
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010419 - 31 Dec 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1314
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries, particularly those involving the sciatic nerve, remain a major clinical challenge due to incomplete functional recovery and the limited translation of preclinical advances into effective therapies. This review synthesizes current evidence on the phase-specific evaluation of sciatic nerve regeneration in [...] Read more.
Peripheral nerve injuries, particularly those involving the sciatic nerve, remain a major clinical challenge due to incomplete functional recovery and the limited translation of preclinical advances into effective therapies. This review synthesizes current evidence on the phase-specific evaluation of sciatic nerve regeneration in preclinical models, integrating behavioral, sensory, electrophysiological, and morphological approaches across the acute, subacute (Wallerian degeneration), early regenerative, and late regenerative phases. By mapping functional readouts onto the underlying biological events of each phase, we highlight how tools such as the Sciatic Functional Index, Beam Walk test, Rotarod test, nerve conduction studies, and nociceptive assays provide complementary and often non-interchangeable information about motor, sensory, and neuromuscular recovery. We further examine emerging therapeutic strategies, including intraoperative electrical stimulation, immunomodulation, platelet-rich plasma, bioengineered scaffolds, conductive and piezoelectric conduits, exosome-based hydrogels, tacrolimus delivery systems, and small molecules, emphasizing the importance of aligning their mechanisms of action with the dynamic microenvironment of peripheral nerve repair. Despite substantial advancements in experimental models, an analysis of publication trends and registries reveals a persistent translational gap, with remarkably few clinical trials relative to the high volume of preclinical studies. To illustrate how mechanistic insights can be complemented by molecular-level characterization, we also present a targeted computational analysis of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA,) including frontier orbital energies, physicochemical descriptors, and docking interactions with IL-6, TGF-β, and a growth-factor receptor—performed solely for this molecule due to its documented structural availability and relevance. By presenting an integrated, phase-specific framework for functional assessment and therapeutic evaluation, this review underscores the need for standardized, biologically aligned methodologies to improve the rigor, comparability, and clinical relevance of future studies in sciatic nerve regeneration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Neurorepair and Regeneration)
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