Nanomedicines for Alzheimer's disease: Therapies based on pathological mechanisms

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Because of the complex pathogenesis of AD and the unique location of AD lesions, effective clinical treatment strategies for this disease remain elusive. However, the development of nanotechnology has allowed a new era of AD treatment to emerge. AD nanomedicines are products of interdisciplinary research that enable high precision and targeted delivery. Additionally, they can specifically regulate various pathogenic factors. This review focuses on nanomedicines based on the pathological mechanisms of AD that can target AD lesions. We also discuss the precise regulatory effects of nanomedicines (including the nanomaterials themselves) on pathogenic proteins, neuroinflammatory molecules, and other pathogenic factors. We summarize the clinical trials that have examined new AD drugs, highlighting the development of new nanomedicines and the progress in their clinical translation. Nanotechnology-based AD treatment is a nascent field, and a complete cure is distant at present; therefore, we also elaborate on the shortcomings of current AD nanomedicines. Finally, we discuss the prospects to guide the future development of AD nanomedicines.