Low-Dimensional Nanomaterials in Alzheimer's Disease: Current Applications

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology and Materials Science
• Neuroscience and Pharmacology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-beta aggregation, tau hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.
• Current AD therapies face challenges including poor Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) penetration and limited efficacy against nanoscale pathological aggregates.
• Low-dimensional nanomaterials (LDNMs) are emerging as potential multi-target therapeutic agents for AD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the potential of LDNMs as multi-target therapeutic platforms for Alzheimer's Disease.
• To establish a paradigm for understanding LDNM interactions with core AD pathologies.
• To provide a framework for designing LDNM-based nanotherapeutics for AD.

Main Methods:

• Systematic evaluation of zero-dimensional (0D), one-dimensional (1D), and two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures.
• Establishment of a 'nano-nano' interaction paradigm for LDNM-AD pathology interactions.
• Summary of experimental data quantifying LDNM effects on AD hallmarks and drug delivery.

Main Results:

• LDNMs effectively inhibit beta-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation and tau hyperphosphorylation.
• LDNMs mitigate oxidative stress, restore metal ion homeostasis, and reduce neuroinflammation.
• LDNMs demonstrate potential for targeted drug delivery across the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB).

Conclusions:

• The multi-target functionality of LDNMs overcomes limitations of single-target AD therapies.
• LDNM nanoscale dimensions and modifiable surfaces facilitate synergistic interactions with AD pathologies.
• LDNMs offer a holistic intervention strategy and a framework for developing novel AD nanotherapeutics.