Micelles, Liposomes, and Extracellular Vesicles: Lipid Nanovesicles for Central Nervous System Drug Delivery

Man-made and naturally derived lipid nanovesicles are playing an ever-increasing role in the therapeutic and diagnostic armamentarium of the nanoneuroscientist and nanoneurosurgeon. Specific to this chapter, micelles, liposomes, and extracellular vesicles (EVs) can competently traverse the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and thereby gain direct access to the central nervous system (CNS) without neurosurgical intervention, making them particularly suitable as CNS drug delivery vehicles. Herein, we present the historical basis, biochemistry, and cellular biology associated with these lipid nanovesicles. The shared cellular uptake mechanisms utilized by these complex entities, along with their intracellular fates and functions, will be presented. Lastly, we discuss the medical applications of these three types of nanovesicles, with emphasis on their potential to deliver therapeutic payloads directly to the CNS, and also highlight their current clinical translation.