Chapter 3 - Nanoengineering and nanotechnology for diagnosis and treatment of CNS and neurological diseases

Abstract

Neurological diseases, central nervous system (CNS) disorders are the major and life-threatening problems for public health. Neurogenerative disorders have considered as serious health issue among the human population. The researcher need to put their attention to protect people against them. In past few decades, several treatment strategies and pipeline have been used and adopted to treat CNS and neurological disorders, but their potential therapeutic efficiency is insufficient and has only shown partial mitigation of symptoms. Several factors like blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BSCFB) protect the CNS from hazardous substances and seem to be major barriers in drug delivery into the CNS for the treatment of CNS complications such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), stroke, epilepsy, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis (MS), encephalitis, cerebral ischemia, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders like Rett syndrome are some examples of neurological disorders. Nanotechnology is emerging science has come out as an attractive and potential platform of treating CNS and neurological disorders and has shown therapeutic potential to overcome issues associated with traditional therapy methods. Nanoengineered molecules can perform a variety of tasks, include crossing the blood–brain barrier, targeting specific cells or signaling pathways, responding to endogenous stimuli, and act as carrying vehicle for gene delivery, supporting nerve regeneration and cell survival. In present chapter, the significant role of nanocarrier systems, nano materials, and carbon nanotubes described and discussed to treat the neurological and CNS disorders. Beside this, nanoformulation of different neuroprotective agents like edaravone, curcumin, nerve growth factors in CNS disorders like Alzheimer's, Parkinsonism, epilepsy, stroke, and brain tumors has been also addressed.