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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Focused Ultrasound Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening for Targeting Brain Structures and Evaluating Chemogenetic Neuromodulation
08:37

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Published on: December 22, 2020

Nanotechnology-Driven Drug-Delivery Systems: Mechanistic Insights for Pediatric Autism Treatment in 2026

Mahboubeh Atashgahi1, Fatemeh Madani2, Thomas J Webster3,4,5

  • 1Department of Surgery, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

International Journal of Nanomedicine
|June 15, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Nanomedicine offers new ways to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for targeted drug delivery and developing advanced diagnostic tools.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Nanomedicine

Background:

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents significant challenges in pediatric care, with current treatments focusing on symptom management rather than core mechanisms.
  • Abnormalities in synaptic function, neuroinflammation, and the gut-brain axis are implicated in ASD pathogenesis, indicating multiple therapeutic targets.
  • The blood-brain barrier (BBB) poses a major obstacle for central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery in ASD, yet its properties also present opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical and mechanistic aspects of ASD relevant to therapeutic interventions.
  • To explore the role of nanomedicine and nanoparticles in addressing ASD challenges.
  • To provide a framework for nano-enabled interventions in ASD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of clinical manifestations, mechanistic pathways, and BBB biology in ASD.
  • Analysis of nanoparticle-based methodologies for neurological applications.
  • Integration of developmental perspectives for nano-interventions.

Main Results:

  • Nanoparticles show promise for targeted drug delivery to the brain in neurological disorders.
  • Nanomedicine can aid in developing advanced ASD models and diagnostic/theranostic tools.
  • The BBB's unique characteristics can be leveraged for effective CNS drug delivery.

Conclusions:

  • Nanomedicine presents a promising frontier for developing novel therapeutic strategies for ASD.
  • Targeted nanoparticle delivery systems can potentially overcome BBB limitations for treating ASD.
  • Further research integrating nanomedicine with developmental insights is crucial for advancing ASD care.

Keywords:
autism spectrum disorderblood–brain barriergut–brain axisnanomedicinetargeted delivery

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