Theranostic Application of Nanomedicine in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Current and Future Perspectives

Nanotechnology, operating at the nano-scale level (1–100 nm), offers innovative solutions in designing polymeric materials for molecular interactions with biological systems. These materials show potential in targeted drug delivery, minimizing adverse effects, and enhancing therapeutic efficacy, specifically in neurodegenerative disorders, i.e., Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, delivering of drugs to the brain is one of the key challenging due to the blood-brain barrier’s (BBB) restrictive nature. Strategies to overcome this barrier include using lipophilic analogues, prodrugs, and chemical drug delivery systems. Carrier-mediated and receptor/vector-mediated delivery exploit existing transport systems, while nanoparticle-mediated delivery efficiently transports drugs across the BBB. Nanotechnology holds vast potential in healthcare, bioscience, and medicine, with nanomedicine offering innovative solutions to conventional medicine’s challenges. Utilizing multifunctional nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery and imaging, especially in treating neurodegenerative diseases, holds significant promise. The emergence of theranostic nanomedicines could revolutionize clinical trials in the future.