Regenerative Pathway Index: A Pre-Neural Readiness and Route-Prediction Framework for Neurovascular Regeneration

The Regenerative Pathway Index (RPI) is a pre-neural prediction framework derived only from measurements available before neural outcomes are observed. It estimates the probability that a defined spatial route will support later axonal survival, crossing, and functional continuity. RPI integrates vascular connectivity, persistent perfusion, oxygen support, barrier quality, stability, vascular risk, and scaffold geometry. It is not defined as an arbitrary weighted sum or a universal biological constant. Candidate variables and transformations are developed in pilot data, locked before confirmatory testing, and evaluated prospectively against geometry-only and vessel-density baselines. Safety-critical variables remain noncompensatory gates: a high predicted probability cannot cancel hemorrhage, severe leakage, thrombosis, collapse, or other predefined stop conditions. The framework requires uncertainty estimates, calibration assessment, held-out validation, and ultimately independent replication. This is an open, falsifiable, and unvalidated preclinical research proposal. RPI is not a clinical prognosis score, patient-selection tool, treatment recommendation, medical advice, or authorization for human or animal intervention.