Novel therapeutic delivery for neurodegenerative diseases: Strategies to overcome CNS barriers

Abstract

The incidence of central nervous system (CNS) diseases is expected to rise significantly due to increasing lifespan and changing population demographics. Among CNS diseases, neurodegenerative diseases (ND’s) entail a significant challenge since they frequently involve neuronal loss and age-related progressive deterioration in brain function. Although the mechanisms and pathogenesis of neuronal disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease, and Huntington's disease (HD) have been extensively studied, effective treatment strategies remain limited. Drug delivery to the CNS is particularly challenging and poses a significant obstacle in the management of neurodegeneration. The present review focuses on the challenges associated with neuronal disorders, especially concerning the delivery of macro molecules containing proteins and nucleic acid. Additionally, we highlight opportunities to enhance therapeutic delivery for the treatment of ND’s. As our understanding of the biological aspects of ND’s continues to grow, there is a growing potential for therapeutic interventions. Therefore, these delivery strategies play a vital role for the future transition of CNS therapies from research labs to clinical practices.