Theranostic nanoparticles for crossing the blood-brain barrier
A critical problem in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s is the incapability to overcome the restrictive mechanism of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and to deliver important therapeutic agents to the brain. During the last decade nanoparticles have gained attention as promising drug delivery agents that can transport through the BBB, mainly via receptor-mediated endocytosis by the brain capillary endothelial cells. The important advantages of nanoparticle-drug complex over that of the free drug are due mainly to prolonged blood circulation, controlled biodistribution and specific molecular targeting capabilities.