Abstract
The brain is protected and isolated from the general circulation by a highly efficient blood-brain barrier. This is characterised by relatively impermeable endothelial cells with tight junctions, enzymatic activity and active efflux transport systems. Consequently the blood-brain barrier is designed to permit selective transport of molecules that are essential for brain function. This creates a considerable challenge for the treatment of central nervous system diseases requiring therapeutic levels of drug to enter the brain. Some small lipophilic drugs diffuse across the blood-brain barriersufficiently well to be efficacious. However, many potentially useful drugs are excluded. This review provides an insight into the current research into technologies to target small molecules, peptides and proteins to the brain. A brief review of the nature of the blood-brain barrier and its transport mechanisms is provided. Strategies to target and improve transport across the blood-brain barrier include the prodrug-lipidisation approach, sequential metabolism chemical delivery systems, drug-vectors, liposomes and nanoparticles. Included is the discussion of techniques to minimise clearance from the circulation by the reticuloendothelial system in order to extend circulation residence time and optimise the opportunity for interaction between the drug delivery system and the blood-brain barrier.
Keywords: brain, blood-brain barrier, drug targeting, nanoparticle, liposome, drug-vector
Current Drug Delivery
Title: Drug Delivery Across the Blood-Brain Barrier
Volume: 1 Issue: 4
Author(s): Y. Chen, G. Dalwadi and H. A.E. Benson
Affiliation:
Keywords: brain, blood-brain barrier, drug targeting, nanoparticle, liposome, drug-vector
Abstract: The brain is protected and isolated from the general circulation by a highly efficient blood-brain barrier. This is characterised by relatively impermeable endothelial cells with tight junctions, enzymatic activity and active efflux transport systems. Consequently the blood-brain barrier is designed to permit selective transport of molecules that are essential for brain function. This creates a considerable challenge for the treatment of central nervous system diseases requiring therapeutic levels of drug to enter the brain. Some small lipophilic drugs diffuse across the blood-brain barriersufficiently well to be efficacious. However, many potentially useful drugs are excluded. This review provides an insight into the current research into technologies to target small molecules, peptides and proteins to the brain. A brief review of the nature of the blood-brain barrier and its transport mechanisms is provided. Strategies to target and improve transport across the blood-brain barrier include the prodrug-lipidisation approach, sequential metabolism chemical delivery systems, drug-vectors, liposomes and nanoparticles. Included is the discussion of techniques to minimise clearance from the circulation by the reticuloendothelial system in order to extend circulation residence time and optimise the opportunity for interaction between the drug delivery system and the blood-brain barrier.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Chen Y., Dalwadi G. and Benson A.E. H., Drug Delivery Across the Blood-Brain Barrier, Current Drug Delivery 2004; 1 (4) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567201043334542
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1567201043334542 |
Print ISSN 1567-2018 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5704 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances of natural products, bio-actives and novel drug delivery system against emerging viral infections
Due to the increasing prevalence of viral infections and the ability of these human pathogens to develop resistance to current treatment strategies, there is a great need to find and develop new compounds to combat them. These molecules must have low toxicity, specific activity and high bioavailability. The most suitable ...read more
Electrospun Fibers as Drug Delivery Systems
In recent years, electrospun fibers have attracted considerable attention as potential platforms for drug delivery due to their distinctive properties and adaptability. These fibers feature a notable surface area-to-volume ratio and can be intentionally designed with high porosity, facilitating an increased capacity for drug loading and rendering them suitable for ...read more
Emerging Nanotherapeutics for Mitigation of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS) present a significant hurdle due to limited access of both treatments and diagnostic tools for the brain. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a barrier, restricting the passage of molecules from the bloodstream into the brain. The most formidable challenge facing scientists is ...read more
Nanotechnology Based Chemotherapy for the treatment of Head & Neck Cancer
The escalating recurrence rates observed in Head and Neck cancer, particularly within the chemo-therapeutically treated cohort (50-60%), can be attributed to the non-selective nature of current anticancer drug delivery modalities. In this context, nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems emerge as a promising avenue for achieving precise localization of therapeutic agents to ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
VDAC-Targeted Drugs Affecting Cytoprotection and Mitochondrial Physiology in Cerebrovascular and Cardiovascular Diseases
Current Medicinal Chemistry The S100A8 and S100A9 Proteins are Attractive Targets to Modulate Inflammation
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Use of Anti-Infective Drugs in Rheumatology
Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry A Study of the Relaxed Mechanisms Induced by Novokinin in the Isolated Porcine Coronary Artery Ring Segments
Protein & Peptide Letters Novel Drug-Induced Pulmonary Complications in Cancer Patients You Can Save Life!
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Acute Severe Colitis: Infliximab and/or Cyclosporine?
Current Drug Targets Local Treatment for Lymphoid Malignancies of the Eye
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry HIV-1 gp120 and Drugs of Abuse: Interactions in the Central Nervous System
Current HIV Research The Need for Diagnostic Criteria in Systemic Vasculitis
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Postischemic-Anoxic Encephalopathy After Global Forebrain Ischemia
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Medical Treatment for Neurocysticercosis: Drugs, Indications and Perspectives
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Histopathology of Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pleuropulmonary Disease
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Dynamic Role of Microparticles in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Current Diabetes Reviews Giant Cell Arteritis – A Series of Cases and Review of Literature
Current Rheumatology Reviews Accessing the Blood-Brain Barrier to Treat Brain Disorders
Current Nanomedicine Adverse Reactions Induced by Minocycline: A Review of Literature
Current Drug Safety Reactive Oxygen Species in the Initiation of IL-4 Driven Autoimmunity as a Potential Therapeutic Target
Current Pharmaceutical Design NGAL is a Precocious Marker of Therapeutic Response
Current Pharmaceutical Design Cognitive Impairment in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Prevalence and Clinical Importance
Current Rheumatology Reviews The Role of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Respiratory Diseases - Pirfenidone, Penicillamine, Chloroquine and Chlorambucil
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews