ABSTRACT
Modern neuroscience increasingly relies on 3D models in studying the central nervous system. Understanding the processes that regulate the formation of neuronal circuits during development, the mechanisms underlying neuronal regeneration, and the factors that lead to the onset of neurodegenerative diseases is increasingly based on the use of in vitro 3D models. In this regard, several biofabrication approaches have been developed to obtain representative three-dimensional neuronal tissue models in vitro. Among them, 3D bioprinting has proven enormous potential, emerging as the reference biofabrication method to meet the growing need for 3D in vitro models. This chapter aims to highlight some peculiarities of the bioengineering of neuronal tissues and describe possible approaches to fabricate and validate models of this type. We will see that the main challenge for the biofabricator is not only to adapt the printing technology and the composition of the bioink to the specificity of nerve cells but also to obtain at the end of the process an artificial system as representative as possible of the tissue (or portion of the tissue) that we set out to mimic.
