Development of a local drug transport mechanism through the blood brain barrier via magnetic nanoparticles induced hypothermia

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Drug delivery to the brain remains a challenge mainly because of impermeable barrier that exists between the blood and the brain tissue. In fact, nearly 98% of drugs used in the Central Nervous System (CNS) to combat brain disorders cannot enter the brain following direct intravenous injection. Also, while drugs influence the unhealthy tissue, they may as well promote side effects in the healthy tissue. The extremely selective permeability of the mentioned barrier and high side effects of certain drugs reinforce the importance of localized drug delivery to the brain. Previously, our team has shown successful local delivery and tracking of therapeutic agents by means of miniaturized drug carriers inside the liver vasculature of a living animal using a modified Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner. These carriers consist of drug molecules and aggregates of extremely small particles. Here, the same particles are synthesized to offer heat to their surroundings once placed inside an alternating magnetic field. This heat leads to disruption of the barrier and increases its permeability towards drug molecules. Therefore, by positioning the miniaturized drug carriers near the barrier and application of heat, one can create an opening for drug molecules to enter the brain tissue.