Nanotechnology-Driven Approaches in Overcoming Drug Delivery Challenges for Neurodegenerative Diseases

The management of Neurodegenerative Diseases (NDs) is a substantial concern for healthcare systems at present. Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease, prion disease, Huntington’s disease and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are among these conditions. Pathogenic characteristics shared by these conditions include increased oxidative stress, misfolded proteins, dysfunctional mitochondria, excitotoxicity and neuro inflammation; these ultimately result in the deterioration of the structure and function of the nervous system. Despite extensive testing, there is currently no specific medication available to halt or cure the progression of these diseases. Therapy failure in neurodegenerative illnesses is often linked to the limitations posed by P-glycoproteins, the blood-brain barrier and the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Nevertheless, recent progress in nanotechnology presents an encouraging avenue for overcoming these constraints. By leveraging nanotechnology and developing nanomaterials that facilitate the delivery of active drug candidates, there is potential to overcome these challenges. Various approaches are being explored, including drug distribution through local delivery, physicochemical disruption of the blood-brain barrier, cell-penetrating peptides, receptor-mediated transcytosis and magnetic disruption. These methods aim to surmount the obstacles associated with drug delivery. This review succinctly covers the mechanism of nanoparticles, different types of nanoparticles used in treating NDs and potential future applications of nanotechnology in clinical neuroscience. The ultimate goal is to develop innovative therapeutic strategies for effectively managing and treating neurodegenerative diseases.