Abstract
The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a major obstacle to the effective delivery of therapeutic agents to the central nervous system (CNS). A small number of drugs have the potent ability to treat brain disease, but their efficiency is poor due to the existence of the BBB. Brain-targeted nanocarriers have been developed to overcome the BBB to increase drug accumulation in lesion regions in the brain and reduce toxicity in healthy brain tissue. Among these nanocarriers, stimuli-responsive nanocarriers (also known as smart nanocarriers) have become a hot topic in recent years. Stimuli-responsive nanocarriers can change their chemical structures or physical properties in response to environmental stimuli. When drugs or biomolecules are transported to certain regions of the brain, these changes can induce cargo release from the drug carrier to treat abnormal cells or tissues. These interesting characteristics provide us with an opportunity to endow various types of smart nanocarriers with the capability to response to single stimulus or multiple stimuli to release drugs at certain lesion regions. In current review, we describe the characteristics and function of the BBB and then focus on recent progress in stimuli-responsive nanocarriers targeting the brain. These naonocarriers include nanocarriers modified with pH-, redox-, photo- and enzyme-responsive polymers or band. We emphasize potential biological applications on brain diseases therapy of nanocarrier and their controlled release upon the application of different stimuli.
Keywords: Blood brain barrier (BBB), central nervous system (CNS) disorders, external stimuli, internal stimuli, nanocarriers, stimuli-responsive.
Graphical Abstract
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Role of nanomaterials in fabrication of coatings, Machining and Joining
The application of nanoscience has brought about a revolution in the field of mechanical engineering by providing novel materials, boosting manufacturing processes, and generating cutting-edge products. The purpose of this special issue is to investigate the enormous impact that nanoscience has had on mechanical engineering, with a particular emphasis on ...read more
Advanced Inorganic Nanocomposites and Their Emerging Applications
This special issue collection will highlight developments on the recent trends about the synthesis of metal oxides, nanoclusters, biomaterials, 2D nanomaterials, nanocrystals, nanocomposites, etc. and their applications in electrochemical systems, tissue regeneration, energy storage and harvesting, sensors, etc. The novelty of the methods in the chemical synthesis and their characterizations, ...read more
Applicability of Nanotechnology for Performance Enhancement of Clean Energy Technologies
Population growth, industrialization, and improvement in living quality would lead to further increase in energy demand in near future. Regarding the disadvantages of fossil fuels such as fluctuations in their price, high emissions of greenhouse gases and restriction of their sources, it is crucial to use and exploit alternative energy ...read more
Graphene and 2D Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion
This thematic issue will discuss the recent advances in graphene-based nanomaterials for different energy technologies. Graphene possesses a high surface area, and stable structure and exhibits many interesting electronic, optical, and mechanical properties due to its 2D crystal structure. Graphene is of both fundamental interest and suitable for a wide ...read more
Related Books
Nanoscale Field Effect Transistors: Emerging Applications
Nanoelectronics Devices: Design, Materials, and Applications Part II
Nanoelectronics Devices: Design, Materials, and Applications (Part I)
Role of Nanotechnology in Cancer Therapy
Synthesis and Applications of Semiconductor Nanostructures
Pathways to Green Nanomaterials: Plants as Raw Materials, Reducing Agents and Hosts
Applications of Nanomaterials in Medical Procedures and Treatments
Synthesis of Nanomaterials
Nanobiotechnology: Principles and Applications
Bio-Inspired Nanotechnology
88
6