Neural Regeneration Research ›› 2026, Vol. 21 ›› Issue (10): 4550-4559.doi: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00025

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Artificial hibernation: A new technique for protecting neural tissue and organs

Wuhua Pang1, #, Ziqi Wang2, #, Yuqi Lin1, Yuhan Liu1, Xiaoyu Wang2, Mengguang Wei2, *, Xiaoyin Li2, *, Xuyi Chen2, *   

  1. 1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China; 
    2Characteristic Medical Center of Chinese People’s Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China
  • Online:2026-10-15 Published:2026-06-11
  • Contact: Xuyi Chen, MD, chenxuyi1979@126.com; Xiaoyin Li, MM, 1282149619@qq.com; Mengguang Wei, MM, weimengguang@163.com.
  • Supported by:
    This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82272255 (to XYC).

Abstract: With the rapid development of life support technologies in the biomedical field, artificial hibernation has shown significant potential in the area of neural tissues and organ protection. This paper systematically reviews the three major technologies of artificial hibernation, as well as their operational procedures and the latest technological progress. It emphasizes the protective role of artificial hibernation technology on neural tissues and vital human organs, such as the brain, spinal cord, heart, kidneys, liver, and intestines, and explores its protective mechanisms. Based on an analysis of the existing literature, it was observed that artificial hibernation technology significantly lowers metabolic rate and decelerates pathological processes, consequently enhancing organ survival rates and functional recovery. This article explains the artificial hibernation technology, neural tissue and organs, and their relationships. By discussing the protective effects of the artificial hibernation technology on neural tissue and organs, it proves the therapeutic effects of this technology in diseases such as craniocerebral injury, extensive cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation encephalopathy. Furthermore, this paper addresses the clinical challenges associated with applying artificial hibernation for neuroprotection and organ preservation, while also outlining potential future development directions for the technology. Therefore, the exploration of how artificial hibernation technology protects neural tissue and organs provides a solid theoretical foundation for its future clinical application. 

Key words: artificial hibernation, brain hypoxia-ischemia, brain, central nervous system diseases, cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, craniocerebral trauma, hypothermia, neuroprotection, organ transplantation