Nanoneuroscience and Medicine

Background of Nanoneuroscience

Nanoneuroscience is a science that connects neuroscience and nanotechnology, addressing the fundamental goals of these two separate fields simultaneously. Nanoneuroscience is an emerging field that will greatly influence the understanding of neural circuits and neurotherapies.

The evolving areas of nanoneuroscience have recently opened doors to a multitude of possibilities for neuroscientists to contribute to a deeper understanding and investigation of neuronal function associated with brain disease. Nanoscience has provided vast hopes for the medical sciences in comparison with the classic techniques of pharmaceutical drug design and development. The collaboration of the two fields has already changed the landscape of diagnostics and therapeutics in the nervous system. These successes prove that nanoneuroscience if studied further, holds promise to deepen our understanding of neural circuitry and therefore contribute to initiatives such as the BAM Project.

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications of Nanotechnology in Neuroscience

• Potential Applications of Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery to the Central Nervous System

The applications of nanotechnology to drug delivery have been widely studied in vitro and in preclinical assessments and provide alternatives for the treatment of CNS disorders. The ability to make nanomaterials multifunctional to enable targeted therapies may be one of the greatest advantages of nanotechnology. Targeted therapy has also been achieved using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Although cell targeting is critical in successful chemotherapy, another important factor for effective drug delivery is the pharmacokinetics of the nanomaterial. Additionally, successful drug delivery is highly dependent on the rate of release of the drug from its carrier. Nanogels, which are hydrogels composed of cross-linked ionic and nonionic polymers, can permit steady, controlled drug release.

• Nanomaterials for Neuroprotection

Neuroprotection refers to the mechanisms or strategies that slow disease progression by preventing or slowing the further loss of neuronal. These strategies include reducing oxidative stress, introducing growth factors, introducing anti-apoptotic peptides, and reducing excitotoxicity and neuroinflammation. One approach generally involves the use of nanomaterials loaded with antioxidants. Nanomaterials with antioxidant properties, such as cerium oxide NPs, can also preserve system endogenous antioxidants.

Patients with neurodegenerative diseases may also benefit from neuroprotective strategies using nanomaterials. Kogen et al. demonstrated an interesting neuroprotective technology using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) that has the potential to help prevent and reduce the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

• Nanomaterial-based Approaches for Neural Regeneration

One of the areas most closely related to nanotechnology is regenerative medicine. Compared with traditional materials, nanomaterials have superior mechanical, catalytic, conductive, optical, magnetic, and cytocompatibility properties, and show great promise in tissue neuroengineering bio-composites.

• Applications of Nanotechnology for Neuroimaging

Nanotechnology permits the visualization of experimental data through optical imaging, resulting in greater spatiotemporal accuracy and resolution than ever before. One conceptual framework is the functionalized semiconductor nanocrystals known as quantum dots (QDs). The potential for QDs is expansive and ever-growing. New functionalization and labelling methods to better target surface proteins or promote their superior solubility characteristics have been developed and assessed using labelled AMPA receptors and by measuring the cytotoxicity of hippocampal neurons, respectively. Utilizing nanomaterials for optical imaging also holds promise for better visualization of brain injuries, such as TBI.

• Nanotechnology in Neurosurgery

Some areas of interest in nanomaterials in the field of neurosurgery include nano-electromechanical systems (NEMSs), laser-associated vascular anastomoses, nanoscaffolds for neural regeneration, the biocompatibility of surgical prostheses and nanowires. An interesting nanomaterial that can be used in place of lasers is AuNPs, which have been shown to have excellent photo-thermal properties.

Nanoneuroscience integrates what is known about the nervous system and nanotechnology, two swiftly progressing fields. The combination of the two disciplines may provide a solution for many CNS disorders, from neurodevelopmental disorders to psychiatric disorders and motor and sensory disorders. Research on the properties and functions of nanomaterials will become the backbone of nanoneuroscience.

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