Localized and sustained release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from injectable hydrogel/microparticle composites fosters spinal learning after spinal cord injury.

Damaged axons in the adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS), including those of the spinal cord, have extremely limited endogenous capacity to regenerate. This is the result of both the intrinsic and extrinsic inhibitory factors that limit the regeneration of adult neurons. Despite attempts to limit or eliminate the extrinsic inhibitory components, regeneration of adult neurons in the CNS is still limited.