Combating neural degeneration from injury or disease is extremely difficult in the brain and
spinal cord i.e. central nervous system (CNS). Unlike the peripheral nerves CNS neurons are
bombarded by physical and chemical restrictions that prevent proper healing and restoration of
function. The CNS is vital to bodily function and loss of any part of it can severely and
permanently alter a person's quality of life. Tissue engineering could offer much needed
solutions to regenerate or replace damaged CNS tissue. This review will discuss current CNS
tissue engineering approaches integrating scaffolds cells and stimulation techniques.
Hydrogels are commonly used CNS tissue engineering scaffolds to stimulate and enhance
regeneration but fiber meshes and other porous structures show specific utility depending on
application. CNS relevant cell sources have focused on implantation of exogenous cells or
stimulation of endogenous populations. Somatic cells of the CNS are rarely utilized for tissue
engineering however glial cells of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) may be used to
myelinate and protect spinal cord damage. Pluripotent and multipotent stem cells offer
alternative cell sources due to continuing advancements in identification and differentiation
of these cells. Finally physical chemical and electrical guidance cues are extremely
important to neural cells serving important roles in development and adulthood. These guidance
cues are being integrated into tissue engineering approaches. Of particular interest is the
inclusion of cues to guide stem cells to differentiate into CNS cell types as well to guide
neuron targeting. This review should provide the reader with a broad understanding of CNS
tissue engineering challenges and tactics with the goal of fostering the future development of
biologically inspired designs.Table of Contents: Introduction Anatomy of the CNS and
Progression of Neurological Damage Biomaterials for Scaffold Preparation Cell Sources for
CNS TE Stimulation and Guidance Concluding Remarks
