Title:Current Overview of Inorganic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Central Nervous System (CNS) Diseases
Volume: 5
Issue: 2
Author(s): Francesca Persano and Stefano Leporatti*
Affiliation:
- CNR Nanotec-Istituto di Nanotecnologia, Via Monteroni 73100, Lecce,Italy
Keywords:
Brain targeting, inorganic nanoparticles, core-shell nanoparticles, drug delivery, brain
diseases, CNS.
Abstract:
Although the integrity of the Blood-brain Barrier (BBB) is often
compromised in several Central nervous system (CNS) disorders, the release of
therapeutic or diagnostic agents in the brain remains challenging. Indeed, most of
the currently established diagnostic and therapeutic protocols result ineffective in
treating and detecting CNS diseases. In this context, it is essential to develop novel
strategies that allow a targeted release of the therapeutic agents to the brain,
overcoming the BBB. The technological advances of the last decade have led to the
development of new techniques for nanoscale treatment and diagnosis of brain
diseases.
Several nano-formulations have been recently proposed and successfully tested in
preclinical models for their capacity to cross the BBB, in particular when
chemically modified with the intent to exploit specific transport processes that
normally occur at the interface between blood and endothelium of the cerebral
vasculature.
In this review, the tunable physico-chemical characteristics of inorganic
nanoparticles will be reviewed, and how this aspect can offer the possibility to
improve current therapeutic strategies. The local and systemic toxicity of these
nanomaterials will be also analyzed. Furthermore, we will provide an update on
recent key advancements in the design and synthesis of novel inorganic core-lipid
shell nanoparticles for the treatment of CNS disorders, and how these vectors may
overcome challenges faced by current inorganic nanomaterials.
