# Magnetically Responsive Piezoelectric Nanocapacitors Enhance Neural Recovery Following Spinal Cord Injury via Targeted Spinal Magnetic Stimulation

**Authors:** Zhihang Xiao, Tingting Li, Lechi Zhang, Chunya Xia, Zelin Su, Xuyan Ren, Yingjie Fan, Zerui Wu, Yaobo Liu, Min Su

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/advs.202514954 · Advanced Science · 2026-01-21

## TL;DR

A new noninvasive treatment for spinal cord injury uses magnetic stimulation and piezoelectric nanomaterials to promote nerve repair and motor recovery.

## Contribution

Introduces magnetically responsive piezoelectric nanocapacitors for targeted, implant-free spinal stimulation.

## Key findings

- Piezoelectric nanocapacitors generate localized electrical stimulation in response to external magnetic fields.
- The approach promotes axonal regeneration and restores functional neural connectivity after spinal cord injury.
- The method avoids surgical implantation and enables long-term, noninvasive neuromodulation.

## Abstract

Precise intracorporeal electrical–magnetic stimulation represents a promising strategy for promoting neural network reconstruction and motor function recovery after spinal cord injury. However, overcoming the inherent limitations of conventional intracorporeal electrical stimulation—such as infection risks from implanted wires and the logistical challenges posed by external power sources—while simultaneously improving the spatial precision of stimulation remains a major unmet need. Here, we introduce a novel therapeutic approach that integrates extracorporeal trans‐spinal magnetic stimulation with energy‐storing, sustained‐release piezoelectric nanomaterials to generate precise, noninvasive electrical stimulation for spinal cord injury treatment. Experimental results demonstrate that these piezoelectric nanocapacitors induce current conduction across the dura mater in response to extracorporeal trans‐spinal magnetic stimulation, thereby achieving highly localized and accurate electrical stimulation. Our findings show that this approach effectively promotes corticospinal tract axonal regeneration distal to the injury site, restores functional neural connectivity, and improves lower limb motor performance. Notably, the magnetically responsive piezoelectric nanocapacitors do not require open surgical implantation and are capable of delivering long‐term, localized electrical stimulation. This strategy establishes a new paradigm for extracorporeal neuromodulation in spinal cord injury therapy and provides a promising foundation for the development of implant‐free, remotely controllable neuromodulation systems.

This study presents a novel “in vivo–in vitro” therapeutic strategy for spinal cord injury by leveraging magnetically responsive piezoelectric nanomaterials. These nanomaterials enable targeted delivery of localized electrical stimulation at the injury site through noninvasive external magnetic actuation, thereby promoting axonal regeneration and functional motor recovery, offering a promising paradigm for precise neural modulation.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** spinal cord injury (MONDO:0043797)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** infection (MESH:D007239), Spinal Cord Injury (MESH:D013119)

## Full text

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## Figures

11 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12955870/full.md

## References

77 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12955870/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12955870