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Updated: May 23, 2025

Novel Methods for Intranasal Administration Under Inhalation Anesthesia to Evaluate Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery
Published on: November 14, 2018
Nose-to-brain drug delivery: from bench to bedside
Isabell Drath1,2, Franziska Richter3,4, Malte Feja5,6
1Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Bünteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
Abstract:
There is increasing interest in nose-to-brain delivery as an innovative drug delivery strategy for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. The unique anatomy of the nose-brain interface facilitates direct drug transport via the olfactory and trigeminal pathways to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Different administration techniques as well as advanced drug formulations like targeted nanoparticles and thermoresponsive systems have been explored to improve the delivery efficiency and the therapeutic efficacy. This review provides an up-to-date perspective on this fast-developing field, and discusses different studies on safety and pharmacokinetic properties. A thorough evaluation of preclinical and clinical studies reveals both promises and challenges of this delivery method, highlighting approved drugs for the treatment of epilepsy and migraine that successfully utilize intranasal routes. The current landscape of research on nose-to-brain delivery is critically discussed, and a rationale is provided for ongoing research to optimize therapeutic strategies.
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