Innervation
Abstract: This chapter informs the reader of the discovery of nerve growth factor, how it plays an important role in bioprinting by directing the growth of the axons of nerve cells along specific paths to repair peripheral nerve injuries, and of the nascent efforts in bioprinting spinal cord scaffolds that may aid in the repair of spinal cord injuries. The chapter apprises the reader of the glial family of cells that provide myelination (insulation) for nerves in the central nervous system. Glial cells are as numerous in the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord) as neurons (nerve cells). The chapter also explains fluorescently tagged calcium ion flow within bioprinted nerve tissue. Intracellular calcium—calcium within cells—controls key cellular functions in all types of neurons. For example, nerve cells cause a release of calcium ions that initiate muscle contraction.