Nanoparticles open the blood-brain barrier
Magnetic nanoparticles developed by researchers at the University of Montreal are able to open the blood-brain barrier, ensuring the delivery of therapeutic molecules to brain tissue.
The blood-brain barrier is a physiological mechanism that prevents the penetration of potentially dangerous agents circulating in the bloodstream into the brain tissue. However, this protective mechanism has a downside – it delays 98% of therapeutic molecules, making drug treatment of brain diseases an almost impossible task.
The authors, working under the guidance of Professor Sylvain Martel, have developed a method for solving this problem using magnetic nanoparticles. To do this, nanoparticles are sent to a given region of the blood-brain barrier, after which they are affected by radio waves. Nanoparticles react to this by releasing thermal energy, which has a mechanical effect on the blood-brain barrier. This provides a temporary (up to 2 hours) localized opening of the barrier, sufficient for the introduction of therapeutic drugs into the brain tissue.
Experiments conducted on rodents using fluorescent dyes have demonstrated the effectiveness of the approach. The authors note that, as their previous experiments have shown, the movement of magnetic nanoparticles in the body can be controlled using a magnetic field created by a magnetic resonance imaging device. Despite the need for further improvements and thorough testing of the technology, the developers are very optimistic about its future in clinical practice, including in the treatment of oncological, psychiatric, neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
Article by Seyed Nasrollah Tabatabaei et al. Remote control of the permeability of the blood–brain barrier by magnetic heating of nanoparticles: A proof of concept for brain drug delivery is published in the Journal of Controlled Release.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of the Universite de Montreal:
Nanorobotic agents open the blood-brain barrier, offering hope for new brain treatments.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru31.03.2015