Journal of neuroimmune pharmacology : the official journal of the Society on NeuroImmune PharmacologyFeb 3, 2017

Tiny Medicine Particles for Treating Brain and Nervous System Diseases

mRNA Technology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 4, 2026

Abstract

This thematic issue includes multiple articles focused on the delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS) using nanoparticles.

Nanoparticles may improve the delivery of HIV therapeutics to the CNS, as discussed in two reviews.
One original article explores the use of nanoparticles to deliver siRNA targeting a key protein in autophagy to microglia.
Another original article details nanoparticle delivery of a soluble mediator aimed at suppressing neuroinflammation in CNS-HIV disease.
Comprehensive reviews address gene therapy for neurological diseases and enhanced drug targeting strategies for CNS tumors.
The role of functionalized nanoparticles and macrophages as delivery vehicles to brain tumors is examined in the reviews.

Simplified

Targeting and delivering macromolecular therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS) has been a major challenge. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the main obstacle that must be overcome to allow compounds to reach their targets in the brain. Therefore, much effort has been channelled into improving transport of therapeutics across the BBB and into the CNS including the use of nanoparticles. In this thematic issue, several reviews and original research are presented that address "Nanomedicines for CNS Diseases." The articles in this issue are concentrated on either CNS-HIV disease or CNS tumors. In regards to CNS-HIV disease, there are two reviews that discuss the role of nanoparticles for improving the delivery of HIV therapeutics to the CNS. In addition, there are two original articles focusing on therapies for CNS-HIV, one of them uses nanoparticles for delivery of siRNA specific to a key protein in autophagy to microglia, and another discusses nanoparticle delivery of a soluble mediator to suppress neuroinflammation. Furthermore, a comprehensive review about gene therapy for CNS neurological diseases is also included. Finally, this issue also includes review articles on enhanced drug targeting to CNS tumors. These articles include a review on the use of nanoparticles for CNS tumors, a review on functionalization (ligands) of nanoparticles for drug targeting to the brain tumor by overcoming BBB, and the final review discusses the use of macrophages as a delivery vehicle to CNS tumors. This thematic issue provides a wealth of knowledge on using nanomedicines for CNS diseases.

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Tiny Medicine Particles for Treating Brain and Nervous System Diseases

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