Applications of Various Types of Nanomaterials for the Treatment of Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Neurological disorders (NDs) are recognized as one of the major health concerns globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), neurological disorders are one of the main causes of mortality worldwide. Neurological disorders include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson′s disease, Huntington′s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Frontotemporal dementia, Prion disease, Brain tumor, Spinal cord injury, and Stroke. These diseases are considered incurable diseases because no specific therapies are available to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reach the brain in a significant amount for the pharmacological effect in the brain. There is a need for the development of strategies that can improve the efficacy of drugs and circumvent BBB. One of the promising approaches is the use of different types of nano-scale materials. These nano-based drugs have the ability to increase the therapeutic effect, reduce toxicity, exhibit good stability, targeted delivery, and drug loading capacity. Different types and shapes of nanomaterials have been widely used for the treatment of neurological disorders, including quantum dots, dendrimers, metallic nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, liposomes, and micelles. These nanoparticles have unique characteristics, including sensitivity, selectivity, and the ability to cross the BBB when used in nano-sized particles, and are widely used for imaging studies and treatment of NDs. In this review, we briefly summarized the recent literature on the use of various nanomaterials and their mechanism of action for the treatment of various types of neurological disorders.

Impact of nanoparticles on amyloid β-induced Alzheimer’s disease, tuberculosis, leprosy and cancer: a systematic review

“…Magnetic NPs enable magnetic delivery of drugs ideal for directed delivery to affected tissue under the action of a magnetic field. However, potential neurotoxicity associated with different metallic/inorganic nanoparticles such as oxidative stress, free radical formation, immune response, lysosomal dysfunction and cell necrosis is a matter of concern for many researchers [ 50 ].…”

Drug Discovery and Development Targeting Dementia

“…Another promising option is using nano-scale carriers for drugs, whose effectiveness in central nervous system disorders has been reviewed recently [ 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 ]. The application of nanocarriers to treat AD has also recently been reviewed [ 119 ].…”

Thalassemia and Nanotheragnostics: Advanced Approaches for Diagnosis and Treatment

“…Nano-based approaches have recently gained a lot of popularity at being used in the healthcare system for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes for various disorders. The use of several engineered nanomaterials, with a size range of about 1–100 nm in at least one dimension, offers the possibility of their potential use in diagnostic and therapeutic purposes [ 48 , 49 ]. Having unique electrical, chemical, magnetic, optical, and biological properties, including non-invasive, simple, portable nature; high sensitivity, selectivity and reliability, and inexpensive diagnostic platforms, mean that nanotechnology and nanomedicine can open new avenues in biomedical science and lead to the development of novel biosensors and therapeutic approaches, specifically to cure hemoglobinopathies [ 46 , 47 , 48 ].…”

“…The use of several engineered nanomaterials, with a size range of about 1–100 nm in at least one dimension, offers the possibility of their potential use in diagnostic and therapeutic purposes [ 48 , 49 ]. Having unique electrical, chemical, magnetic, optical, and biological properties, including non-invasive, simple, portable nature; high sensitivity, selectivity and reliability, and inexpensive diagnostic platforms, mean that nanotechnology and nanomedicine can open new avenues in biomedical science and lead to the development of novel biosensors and therapeutic approaches, specifically to cure hemoglobinopathies [ 46 , 47 , 48 ]. Keeping in view the increasing trend of precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine or customized drug production according to the genes, environment, and lifestyle of each individual, nanomedicine i.e., the use of various types of organic and inorganic nanoparticles in drug development, drug delivery, and various other therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, is under rapid investigation to develop novel and efficacious therapeutic interventions and diagnostic approaches for different diseases [ 42 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ].…”