A Potential Notion on Alzheimer’s Disease: Nanotechnology as an Alternative Solution

Figure 3

Key physicochemical characteristics for the development of nanomaterial technologies to cross the blood−brain barrier for Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Size, shape, surface charge, and functionalization greatly influence the nanocarrier efficacy for drug delivery to the brain. Nanoparticles between 5 and 200 nm have been shown to penetrate the brain more efficiently than larger particles, in addition to being efficaciously internalized by macrophages for cell-mediated delivery across the blood−brain barrier. The surface charge of the nanotechnologies used for brain delivery must be carefully controlled to minimize the potential toxicity of each platform. Furthermore, nanoparticle shape can significantly enhance the circulation and uptake of nanomedicines. Finally, surface functionalization of the nanocarrier offers an extensive range of possibilities to improve brain penetration and target specific cell receptors with the use of small molecules, antibodies, or peptides.