Innovative Hydrogel-Based Treatments for Neonatal Stroke

Neonatal stroke, occurring within the first 28 days after birth, affects >1 in every 2500 newborns. The weekly adjusted risk of stroke in a term newborn is 3-fold greater than for a male smoker aged 50 to 59 years with diabetes and hypertension. Neonatal stroke has profound clinical and socioeconomic implications, causing cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and various motor, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. Currently, there is no treatment for the brain damage that neonatal stroke causes. Hydrogels, which are networks of hydrophilic polymer chains swollen with water, have tunable elasticity and stiffness, shear-thinning properties, and can deliver therapeutic agents locally in a controlled manner. Thus, they offer significant potential for tissue repair and regeneration. In this review, we synthesize the current knowledge on biocompatible hydrogels, providing insights into how they can be engineered to address the pathophysiology of neonatal stroke and their previous use in repairing severe focal lesions in the adult central nervous system. By exploring cutting-edge hydrogel therapies, this review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the potential of hydrogel therapy to improve outcomes for infants suffering from severe brain injury due to neonatal stroke.