Progress and perspectives on targeting nanoparticles for brain drug delivery

Due to the ability of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to prevent the entry of drugs into the brain, it is a challenge to treat central nervous system disorders pharmacologically. The development of nanotechnology provides potential to overcome this problem. In this review, the barriers to brain-targeted drug delivery are reviewed, including the BBB, blood–brain tumor barrier (BBTB), and nose-to-brain barrier. Delivery strategies are focused on overcoming the BBB, directly targeting diseased cells in the brain, and dual-targeted delivery. The major concerns and perspectives on constructing brain-targeted delivery systems are discussed.

Graphical abstractSeveral barriers are faced in brain-targeted delivery. To overcome these barriers and deliver drugs and imaging probes to the brain, various strategies have been developed for overcoming the blood–brain barrier (BBB), directly targeting diseased brain cells, and dual targeting delivery. Although significant progress has been made, there are still many issues to be resolved.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide