Innovative therapeutic strategies for traumatic brain injury: integrating regenerative medicine, biomaterials, and neuroengineering

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant public health concern, with current treatments primarily addressing acute symptoms while failing to mitigate secondary injuries that contribute to long-term neurological deficits. This article discusses emerging therapeutic strategies, including stem cell-based approaches, biomaterials, and exosome-based treatments, which show promise in promoting tissue repair, reducing inflammation, and enhancing neurological function. Despite these advancements, challenges such as immune rejection, scalability, and the absence of standardized clinical protocols persist, underscoring the need for further refinement and interdisciplinary collaboration across molecular biology, bioengineering, and clinical neuroscience. In particular, integrating regenerative strategies with advanced biomaterials may result in synergistic effects improving recovery outcomes. Additionally, this article explores the potential of novel materials, such as carbogenic nanozymes, and innovations in tissue engineering, including hydrogels and nanocarriers, to mitigate oxidative stress, preserve blood-brain barrier integrity, and modulate neuroinflammation. Furthermore, macrophage-based therapies, such as backpack-macrophage therapy and photobiomodulation (PBM) are emerging as promising interventions to address chronic TBI complications, including post-traumatic epilepsy and cognitive impairments. However, further research is needed to optimize treatment parameters and overcome barriers to clinical translation. Ultimately, the integration of these advanced therapeutic strategies, combined with a deeper understanding of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes, has the potential to revolutionize TBI treatment, offering improved recovery and quality of life for affected individuals.