Fig. 2

Functional recovery and evaluation of hemispheric atrophy with neuro-implants inserted in a brain lesion. a Grip strength performance at different time points after transplantation of neuro-implants pre-seeded with hNSCs (hNSC Implants group, n = 15), or implants on their own (Implants Alone group, n = 8), or direct engraftment of a neural cell suspension (hNSCs group, 500,000 cells, n = 6). Controls were sham-operated for the lesion (Sham group, n = 8) or implantation (Sham Implants group, n = 10). Statistical analysis carried out with a linear mixed effect model (significant differences reported on the graph at 2 and 3 months, *p < 0.05). b Representative horizontal T2-weighted MRI images in a Sham Implants (Lesioned) rat and an Implants Alone (Implanted) rat. L lesion, V ventricle. Red arrows indicate PDMS implants. c Percentage of atrophy of the lesioned hemisphere in each group, as assessed on T2 MRI images. Data represent individual values and median ± interquartile range. Statistical analysis carried out with the Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn’s test. *p < 0.05. hNSC human neural stem cell