Drug Permeation across the Blood-Brain Barrier: Applications of Nanotechnology
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2015, Vol 6, Issue 6
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a neurobiological frontier that isolates brain tissues from the blood vascular system. Its main role is to protect the brain and the central nervous system from external fluctuations in hormones, nutrients and drugs, while allowing the passage of water and small lipophilic molecules. Diffusion across the BBB can occur through several biological mechanisms, but the most common one is simple diffusion, which mainly depends on the size, lipid solubility and concentration gradient of the molecule. Because of the highly dense network of capillary endothelium cells found in the BBB, most of the drugs are not able to cross this physiological barrier. Delivering therapeutic agents to the brain is thus a big challenge, which may prevent treatment of important neurological diseases. In order to overcome this difficulty, researchers have used nanotechnology to help the passage of drugs across the BBB. Nanotechnology has significantly contributed to the field of biotechnology by improving the strategies for drug delivery, and by providing novel carriers for safe and effective brain targeting. The aim of this review is to discuss in more details the anatomical structure and the functions of the BBB, as well as its significance in neurological diseases. A closer look will be given at the transport mechanisms across the BBB. This review finally explores the most recent advances in the field of nanotechnology for drug delivery in the brain, and gives meaningful examples of delivery systems developed including the micelles, liposomes, dendrimers, microcapsules and polymeric nanoparticles.
Authors and Affiliations
Marc Fakhoury, Ryusuke Takechi, Hani Al-Salami
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP347073
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2015/15493
- Views 51
- Downloads 0
Correlation of Serum and Pericardial Fluid Amino Terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide
Objective: To investigate the correlation of pericardial fluid and serum NT-proBNP levels in patients during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Study Design: Crossectional study. Place and Duration of the Study: Thi...
Cone Beam Computed Tomography for Exploring Morphology of Mandibular First Molar
Aims: The root canals have complex morphology and vary widely among individuals variations. The objective of this research was to analyse the morphology of root canals and existence of extra canals in mandibular first mo...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Skills of Some Nigerian Primary and Secondary Schools Teachers
Background/Aim of Study: Training of primary and secondary schools teachers on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has received the support of the international community for the purposes of increasing potential bystande...
Relationship between Glycated Haemoglobin, Fasting Plasma Glucose, Packed Cell Volume and Albumin Creatinine Ratio in Diabetic Patients in South-South Nigeria
The relationship between glycated haemoglobin, fasting plasma glucose, packed cell volume and albumin creatinine ratio in diabetic patients in south-south Nigeria was investigated in 118 diabetic patients (80 females and...
Bilateral Sagittal Split Osteotomy: Is Anything Else to Facilitate the Technique?
Nowadays bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO) is the most common technique for treatment of mandibular skeletal deformities. One of the most sensitive stages in BSSO is recognition of inferior alveolar nerve entranc...