Chapter 7 - Nanoscience in Targeted Brain Drug Delivery

Abstract

Neurological diseases are one of the most serious life-threatening diseases worldwide. The currently applied strategies for the treatment of neurological diseases are not able to provide sufficient success. One of the main reasons for this failure is that drugs are not able to reach the target site in the central nervous system (CNS) at a therapeutic concentration. After administration into the systemic circulation, drug transport to the target site is hindered by extracellular and intracellular barriers of the CNS, such as blood–brain barrier (BBB). One promising approach that overcomes the BBB is the development of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems (NBDDS) using advanced formulation design strategies. The advantages of NBDDS over other conventional drug delivery systems include high drug loading capacity, targeted action, reduced toxicity, and increased therapeutic effect. Therefore “nanoneuroscience,” the delivery of therapeutic agents in the treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders, emerges as an inspiring and vital area for future studies. In this chapter, NBDDS developed with advanced designs that overcome the BBB and their subsequent use in the treatment of neurological diseases will be discussed. Moreover, the advantages of these NBDDS (such as various types of nanoparticles, nanocapsules, liposomes, dendrimers, carbon nanotubes, and polymeric micelles) over other conventional drug delivery systems in the treatment of neurological disorders, as well as their related examples of efficiently used formulations that deliver bioactive substances will be highlighted. Besides, the neurotoxicity and clinical considerations of these NBDDS will also be discussed.