Generating Electric Fields Along the Human Optic Nerve to Promote Axonal Regeneration

Significant interest exists in developing electric field (EF) application into a technology to direct target-specific neuronal regeneration. We have shown that in vivo EF stimulation of the rat optic nerve (ON) after crush injury directed full-length regeneration of retinal ganglion cell axons and partial restoration of vision. Whether EFs can successfully direct axon regeneration in humans is unknown. Here, we pair 3D computational electromagnetic modeling with cadaveric measurements to interrogate the optimal electrode configuration for generating an EF along the human ON.