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Improving drug delivery technology for treating neurodegenerative diseases
Yahya E Choonara1, Pradeep Kumar1, Girish Modi2
1a Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform Research Unit, Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Science, Faculty of Health Sciences , University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg , South Africa.
Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery
|March 12, 2016
Summary
Advanced drug delivery systems show promise for treating neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) by overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Further research is needed to advance these novel neurotherapies beyond preclinical stages for conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) present significant challenges for drug delivery to the brain due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
- Mechanisms of neurodegeneration include neuronal loss, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
- Current treatments for NDs are often insufficient to address these complex factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and evaluate advanced drug delivery systems for treating common NDs.
- To identify key research gaps in neurotherapeutics.
- To discuss novel strategies for overcoming the BBB and enhancing drug bioavailability in the brain.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current research on drug delivery systems for NDs.
- Evaluation of emerging neurotherapies, including nose-to-brain technologies, bio-engineered systems, stem cells, and gene therapy.
- Analysis of challenges related to BBB penetration and non-specific drug delivery.
Main Results:
- Various advanced drug delivery systems offer potential alternatives to current treatments.
- Nose-to-brain technologies, bio-engineered systems, and other novel approaches aim to improve drug targeting and efficacy.
- Despite promising preclinical results, many neurotherapies face significant hurdles in clinical translation.
Conclusions:
- Advanced drug delivery systems are crucial for enhancing the treatment of NDs like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
- Overcoming the BBB remains a primary challenge for effective neurotherapeutics.
- Continued research and development are essential to move these innovative treatments from preclinical studies to clinical application.
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