ABSTRACT
The central nervous system (CNS) is tightly sealed from the systemic circulation by two barriers: the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the blood–cerebrospinal–fluid barrier (BCSFB). The BBB is a complex and highly dynamic selectively permeable cellular interface that ensures a homeostatic environment for the CNS by tightly regulating bidirectional molecular transport between blood and the brain parenchyma. However, the integral selectivity feature of the BBB itself limits therapeutic possibilities for many neurologic disorders. With the advent of nanotechnology, nanoparticulate matters have been shown to possess an inherent capability to efficiently and effectively cross the BBB, leading to the delivery of encapsulated neurotherapeutics and diagnostics to the targeted areas of the brain. Nanotechnology has immense theranostic potential such as in the field of neuromolecular diagnostics, discovery of neurodegenerative markers, nano-enabled drug delivery, and neuroregenerative medicine with substantial implications in the diagnosis and treatment of various neurological disorders.
