Advancing Nanomaterial-Based Strategies for Alzheimer's Disease: A Perspective

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. By 2050, the number of AD cases is projected to exceed 131 million, placing significant strain on healthcare systems and economies worldwide. The pathogenesis of AD is multifactorial, involving hypotheses/mechanisms, such as amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, cholinergic neuron damage, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Despite extensive research, the complexity of these potentially entangled mechanisms has hindered the development of treatments that can reverse disease progression. Nanotechnology, leveraging the unique physical, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of nanomaterials, has emerged as a promising approach for AD treatment. In this Perspective, we first outlined the major current pathogenic hypotheses of AD and then reviewed recent advances in nanomaterials in addressing these hypotheses. We have also discussed the challenges in translating nanomaterials into clinical applications and proposed future directions, particularly the development of multifunctional and multitarget nanomaterials, to enhance their therapeutic efficacy and clinical applicability in AD treatment.