Nanoparticles Could Deliver Alzheimer's Treatments to the Brain

Science Focus reports that scientists have developed a technique to deliver drugs to the brain via nanoparticles, for treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. They have demonstrated the method's viability in cultured cells and zebrafish. The researchers synthesized nanoparticles that can cross the blood-brain barrier produced from polylactic acid. "A layer of polyethylene glycol (PEG) covers these nanoparticles and makes them invisible to the immune system, so they can longer circulate in the bloodstream," said Professor Charles Ramassamy at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique in Canada. Containing the drugs in this manner means patients could be administered much smaller doses, boosting the efficiency and cutting the risk of side effects. Ramassamy said the tests on zebrafish were important, because "this species offers several advantages. Its blood-brain barrier is similar to that of humans and its transparent skin makes it possible to see nanoparticles' distribution almost in real time."