Leveraging the Dynamic Blood-Brain Barrier for Central Nervous System Nanoparticle-based Drug Delivery Applications

Neurological diseases and injuries have profound impact on a patient's lifespan and functional capabilities, but often lack effective intervention strategies to address the underlying neuropathology. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a major hurdle in the effective delivery of therapeutics to the brain. Recent discoveries in BBB maintenance reveal a dynamic system where time of day, disease progression, and even biological variables all strongly influence its permeability and flux of molecules. Nanoparticles can be used to improve the efficacy of therapeutics by increasing circulation time, bioavailability, selectivity, and controlling the rate of payload release. Considering these recent findings, the next generation of pharmacological paradigms are evolving to leverage nanotechnology to turn therapeutic intervention to meet the needs of a specific patient (i.e. personalized medicine).