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Transnasal targeted delivery of therapeutics in central nervous system diseases: a narrative review.

Authors: Won S, An J, Song H, Im S, You G, Lee S, Koo KI, Hwang CH

Currently, neurointervention, surgery, medication, and central nervous system (CNS) stimulation are the main treatments used in CNS diseases. These approaches are used to overcome the blood brain barrier (BBB), but they have limitations that necessitate the development of targeted delivery methods. Thus, recent research has focused on spatiotemporally direct and indirect targeted delivery methods because they decrease the effect on nontarget cells, thus minimizing side effects and increasing the patient's quality of life. Methods that enable therapeutics to be directly passed through the BBB to facilitate delivery to target cells include the use of nanomedicine (nanoparticles and extracellular vesicles), and magnetic field-mediated delivery. Nanoparticles are divided into organic, inorganic types depending on their outer shell composition. Extracellular vesicles consist of apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes. Magnetic field-mediated delivery methods include magnetic field-mediated passive/actively-assisted navigation, magnetotactic bacteria, magnetic resonance navigation, and magnetic nanobots-in developmental chronological order of when they were developed. Indirect methods increase the BBB permeability, allowing therapeutics to reach the CNS, and include chemical delivery and mechanical delivery (focused ultrasound and LASER therapy). Chemical methods (chemical permeation enhancers) include mannitol, a prevalent BBB permeabilizer, and other chemicals-bradykinin and 1-O-pentylglycerol-to resolve the limitations of mannitol. Focused ultrasound is in either high intensity or low intensity. LASER therapies includes three types: laser interstitial therapy, photodynamic therapy, and photobiomodulation therapy. The combination of direct and indirect methods is not as common as their individual use but represents an area for further research in the field. This review aims to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, describe the combined use of direct and indirect deliveries, and provide the future prospects of each targeted delivery method. We conclude that the most promising method is the nose-to-CNS delivery of hybrid nanomedicine, multiple combination of organic, inorganic nanoparticles and exosomes, via magnetic resonance navigation following preconditioning treatment with photobiomodulation therapy or focused ultrasound in low intensity as a strategy for differentiating this review from others on targeted CNS delivery; however, additional studies are needed to demonstrate the application of this approach in more complex <i>in vivo</i> pathways.

Introduction

Purpose Drug delivery with BBB opening
Study Objective To review and analyze direct and indirect targeted delivery methods across the blood–brain barrier for CNS therapies, assessing their advantages, combined use, and future prospects.
Cargo name and characteristics Nanoparticles (organic and inorganic nanoparticles); extracellular vesicles (apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, exosomes); hybrid nanomedicine combining organic + inorganic nanoparticles and exosomes; magnetically actuated agents (magnetic nanobots, magnetotactic bacteria — microrobots/biological carriers); chemical BBB permeation enhancers: mannitol (small-molecule osmotic agent), bradykinin (peptide), 1-O-pentylglycerol (small molecule).
Route of administration intranasal

Outcomes and Safety

Summary of Outcomes The review concludes that various direct (nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, magnetic navigation) and indirect (chemical permeabilizers, laser, focused ultrasound) methods can transiently increase BBB permeability to enable targeted CNS delivery while reducing off-target effects, and the authors propose nose-to-CNS delivery of hybrid nanomedicine with magnetic resonance navigation as most promising. Focused ultrasound was discussed in high- and low-intensity forms, with low-intensity focused ultrasound recommended as the successful preconditioning approach.
Safety-related matter The paper notes side effects and limitations of existing CNS treatments and states that targeted delivery approaches are intended to minimize effects on nontarget cells and reduce side effects. No specific adverse effects or safety incidents are reported in the provided text.

Brain Region

Visualization unavailable

Ultrasound Parameters

Focal Characteristics focal depth: None, focal length: None, aperture size: None

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