NANOMEDICINE IN TARGETED DRUG DELIVERY FOR NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS

Abstract

Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, glioblastoma, and stroke, impose significant global health challenges due to their prevalence, complexity, and treatment limitations. A primary barrier to effective therapy is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. Traditional drug delivery methods often result in non-specific targeting, limited efficacy, and systemic side effects. Nanomedicine, an emerging field at the intersection of nanotechnology and medicine, offers innovative solutions to these challenges by enabling precise, targeted drug delivery across the BBB.
This review explores the application of nanomedicine in treating neurological disorders, focusing on advanced nanoparticle platforms such as liposomes, polymeric nanoparticles, and dendrimers. Key mechanisms of targeting, including passive, active, and stimuli-responsive approaches, are discussed in the context of their utility for various neurological conditions. Despite promising preclinical and early clinical results, challenges such as nanoparticle toxicity, scalability, and regulatory hurdles remain significant barriers to widespread adoption.
Emerging trends, including multifunctional nanocarriers, theranostic systems, and the integration of artificial intelligence, show potential to revolutionize the field. By addressing current limitations, nanomedicine holds transformative potential in improving therapeutic outcomes for neurological disorders, paving the way for a new era in targeted drug delivery.