Neural stem cell-loaded biohybrid hydrogel improves cochlear implants by electrode-neural coupling and neural regeneration.

ABSTRACT: Background: Contemporary cochlear implants (CIs) face unresolved dual challenges: biomechanical-electrochemical mismatch at the electrode-tissue interface and progressive spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) degeneration, severely limiting long-term auditory restoration. Integrating regenerative medicine with bioelectronic engineering offers promise to overcome these bottlenecks. Methods: A biohybrid neural interface was developed by embedding neural stem cells (NSCs) in photopolymerized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS)/collagen hydrogel. Physicochemical properties were characterized via rheometry, electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. In vitro NSC responses (proliferation/differentiation) were quantified with EdU/T

SUBMITTER: Liao M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12675008 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature