From Nanotechnology to Nanotechnology/Nanoneurosurgery and Nanobioelectronics: A Historical Review of Milestones

The term “nanotechnology,” or “nanoscience,” refers to the science carried out on a nanometer scale and alludes to structures having a dimension between 1 and 100 nm. In the last 20 years alone, the nanoneuroscience and nanoneurosurgery fields have emerged as new frontiers of science, leading to astonishing advancements in biomedical science and clinical practice. Nanotechnology emerged as a field of study in the twentieth century with Richard Feynman, Norio Taniguchi, Eric Drexler, and Robert A. Freitas Jr as some of the original visionaries who set a course that would lead to the application of nanomechanical concepts in neurosurgery and nanoneurosurgery. After the discovery of carbon nanoparticles and nanotubes in the late twentieth century, there was a major growth of interest in the application of nanotechnology in material, electrical, and optical engineering. Not long after, a search for applications in biomedical science began, finding uses in drug delivery, nucleic acid/macromolecule delivery, imaging, and as an interface to treat disorders and injuries. Nanomedicine for a neurological or neurosurgical application has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); however, a variety of nanoplatforms for biomedical applications are available for research and clinical trials. The continuation of nanotechnology and neuroscience research relies in part on the collaborative efforts of the US Congress. The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) was launched in 2000 by President Clinton to help fund the development of nanotechnologies applicable to neurosurgical uses. The United States Congressional Neuroscience Caucus has a mission to raise awareness of the importance of neuroscience research in the hope of spurring support from society and federal policy.