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Updated: Jul 29, 2025

Intranasal Administration of CNS Therapeutics to Awake Mice
Published on: April 8, 2013
Intranasal Drug Administration in Alzheimer-Type Dementia: Towards Clinical Applications
Raquel Taléns-Visconti1, Jesus Vicente de Julián-Ortiz2, Ofelia Vila-Busó3
1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Av. Vicent Andrés Estellés s/n, 46100 Valencia, Spain.
Abstract:
Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) treatments face limitations in crossing the blood-brain barrier and systemic adverse effects. Intranasal administration offers a direct route to the brain via the nasal cavity's olfactory and trigeminal pathways. However, nasal physiology can hinder drug absorption and limit bioavailability. Therefore, the physicochemical characteristics of formulations must be optimized by means of technological strategies. Among the strategies that have been explored, lipid-based nanosystems, particularly nanostructured lipid carriers, are promising in preclinical investigations with minimal toxicity and therapeutic efficacy due to their ability to overcome challenges associated with other nanocarriers. We review the studies of nanostructured lipid carriers for intranasal administration in the treatment of ATD. Currently, no drugs for intranasal administration in ATD have marketing approval, with only three candidates, insulin, rivastigmine and APH-1105, being clinically investigated. Further studies with different candidates will eventually confirm the potential of the intranasal route of administration in the treatment of ATD.
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