PEDOT:PSS in peripheral nerve injury repair: electrical stimulation, neural interfaces, and neural regenerative mechanisms

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) remains a major clinical challenge due to the limited regenerative capacity of neural tissue. The conductive polymer (CP) poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) has recently gained significant attention owing to its excellent electrochemical performance, biocompatibility, and mechanical flexibility. This review provides an overview of recent advances in PEDOT:PSS-based strategies for nerve repair, including nerve guide conduits (NGCs) and neural interfaces. Particular emphasis is placed on its roles in facilitating nerve regeneration via electrical stimulation (ES), enhancing the tissue-electrode interface, and improving functional recovery. The discussion also covers major obstacles to clinical translation, such as long-term stability, biodegradability, and immune response. Future efforts should focus on material modification, composite structure optimization, and the integration of three-dimensional (3D) printing and intelligent neural interface technologies to enable personalized and precise therapeutic applications. Overall, PEDOT:PSS represents a promising material for peripheral nerve regeneration (PNR) and offers new strategies for treating PNIs. This review explores the innovative use of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) in peripheral nerve injury (PNI) repair. By combining the conductive properties of PEDOT:PSS with electrical stimulation (ES), the study highlights how these materials enhance nerve regeneration, optimize neural interfaces, and promote functional recovery. The article provides insights into the mechanisms by which PEDOT:PSS facilitates axonal growth, improves tissue-electrode interaction, and supports personalized therapies, offering promising strategies for overcoming current limitations in nerve repair. Future research directions focus on material modifications, composite structures, and integration with advanced technologies such as 3D printing and smart interfaces to improve long-term efficacy in clinical applications.