A Facile Strategy to Restore the Optic Nerve Functionality Using an Injectable Conducting Hydrogel

This study introduces a novel injectable conductive polymer hydrogel from poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). This hydrogel is designed to facilitate the recovery of electrophysiological function in injured optic nerves. The hydrogel can be injected directly at the injury site and spontaneously gel in place. These findings indicate a remarkable restoration of electrophysiological function, with a two to fourfold increase in amplitude (N1-P1 wavelet) of flash visual evoked potentials. Electroretinography results further support that both a-wave and b-wave amplitudes obtained under various adaptation conditions in the PEDOT hydrogel-treated animal models with optic nerve crush are comparable to those in the control group. The visual cliff testing results further supports the enhanced visual functionality after the hydrogel treatment. This improvement signifies enhanced responsiveness to light stimulation and a substantial boost in axonal transmission of visual information. Additionally, the injection of PEDOT hydrogel significantly mitigates the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells, resulting in a fourfold increase in their survival rate. The ease of preparation and outstanding performance in vivo make it a promising bioengineered material for optic nerve research. This advancement offers new hope for patients with traumatic optic neuropathy, potentially leading to improved treatments and outcomes in optic nerve regeneration.