title: Nanoparticles and the blood-brain barrier: advancing from in-vitro models towards therapeutic significance.
abstract: The blood-brain barrier is a unique cell-based restrictive barrier that prevents the entry of many substances, including most therapeutics, into the central nervous system. A wide range of nanoparticulate delivery systems have been investigated with the aim of targeting therapeutics (drugs, nucleic acids, proteins) to the brain following administration by various routes. This review provides a comprehensive description of the design and formulation of these nanoparticles including the rationale behind individual approaches. In addition, the ability of currently available in-vitro BBB models to accurately predict the in-vivo performance of targeted nanoparticles is critically assessed.
authors.affiliation: Pharmacodelivery group, School of Pharmacy, Cavanagh Pharmacy Building,, University College Cork,, Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mc Carthy
authors.forename: Meenakshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malhotra
authors.forename: Aoife M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: O'Mahony
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cryan
authors.forename: Caitriona M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: O'Driscoll
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers