In an era wherein nanotechnology has sparked a huge research interest, brain drug delivery is not an exception. Aiming at fighting several central nervous system (CNS) conditions, tailored nanoparticles open new avenues to address several challenges in the fields of drug delivery and brain targeting. This book gathers contributions from experts in different, complementary fields, having in common their interest in developing new strategies for brain delivery based on nanotechnologies. The book encompasses general aspects pertaining to fundamental development, including tripartite in silico–in vitro–in vivo approaches. It also covers a diversity of nanomedicines applied in treatment and/or diagnosis and monitoring of CNS disorders. Aspects concerning their translation from the bench to clinical practice are also seamlessly discussed. This book will inspire readers to discover possible approaches to holistically delivering drugs into the brain. Edited by Carla Vitorino, Andreia Jorge and Alberto Pais, this book will appeal to anyone involved in nanomedicine, pharmaceutics, neurological and cancer therapies, drug delivery research and computational and regulatory sciences.

Nanotechnology-Based Targeted Drug Delivery Systems for Brain Tumors addresses brain anatomy and tumors and the progress and challenges in delivering drugs across the blood brain barrier. Several chapters are devoted to the latest technologies and advances in nanotechnology, along with practical solutions on how to design more effective nanocarriers for drug and gene delivery. This valuable resource prepares readers to develop novel drug delivery systems for the treatment of brain tumors that further promote the latest nanomedical technologies. - Addresses the progress and challenges inherent in delivering drugs across the blood brain barrier and offers strategies to maximize effectiveness - Draws upon the experience and expertise of international scientists working in the fields of drug delivery and nanomedicine - Considers the future possibilities of nanotechnology for delivering nanocarriers that better diagnose and treat brain tumors

Brain Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: A Focus on Nanotechnology and Nanoparticulates provides a guide on nanoparticulates to both academic and industry researchers. The book discusses key points in the development of brain targeted drug delivery, summarizes available strategies, and considers the main problems and pitfalls evidenced in current studies on brain targeted drug delivery systems. As the brain is the most important organ in the human body, and disorders of the central nervous system (CNS) are the most serious threat to human life, this book highlights advances and new research in drug delivery methods to the brain. - Provides an overview of brain targeting drug delivery that is useful to both academic and industry-based researchers - Discusses key points in developing brain targeting drug delivery systems - Summarizes and presents currently available strategies for brain targeting drug delivery - Covers not only current studies and their strengths, but also gives insight into the pitfalls of current research

NANOTECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE Discover thorough insights into the toxicology of nanomaterials used in medicine In Nanotechnology in Medicine: Toxicity and Safety, an expert team of nanotechnologists delivers a robust and up-to-date review of current and future applications of nanotechnology in medicine with a special focus on neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, diagnostics, nano-nutraceuticals, dermatology, and gene therapy. The editors offer resources that address nanomaterial safety, which tends to be the greatest hurdle to obtaining the benefits of nanomedicine in healthcare. The book is a one-stop resource for recent and comprehensive information on the toxico logical and safety aspects of nanotechnology used in human health and medicine. It provides readers with cutting-edge techniques for delivering therapeutic agents into targeted cellular compartments, cells, tissues, and organs by using nanoparticulate carriers. The book also offers methodological considerations for toxicity, safety, and risk assessment. Nanotechnology in Medicine: Toxicity and Safety also provides readers with: A thorough introduction to the nanotoxicological aspects of nanomedicine, including translational nanomedicine and nanomedicine personalization Comprehensive introductions to nanoparticle toxicity and safety, including selenium nanoparticles and metallic nanoparticles Practical discussions of nanotoxicology and drug delivery, including gene delivery using nanocarriers and the use of nanomaterials for ocular delivery applications In-depth examinations of nanotechnology ethics and the regulatory framework of nanotechnology and medicine Perfect for researchers, post-doctoral candidates, and specialists in the fields of nanotechnology, nanomaterials, and nanocarriers, Nanotechnology in Medicine: Toxicity and Safety will also prove to be an indispensable part of the libraries of nanoengineering, nanomedicine, and biopharmaceutical professionals and nanobiotechnologists.

Direct Nose-to-Brain Drug Delivery provides the reader with precise knowledge about the strategies and approaches for enhanced nose-to-brain drug delivery. It highlights the development of novel nanocarrier-based drug delivery systems for targeted drug delivery to the brain microenvironments with a focus on the technological advances in the development of the novel drug delivery devices for intranasal administration, including special emphasis on brain targeting through nose. This book explores the various quantification parameters to assess the brain targeting efficiency following intranasal administration and includes an overview on the toxicity aspects of the various materials used to develop the direct nose-to-brain drug delivery vehicles and of the regulatory aspects including patents and current clinical status of the potential neurotherapeutics for the effective management of neuro-ailments. Technological advances in new drug delivery systems with diverse applications in pharmaceutical, biomedical, biomaterials, and biotechnological fields are also explained. This book is a crucial source that will assist the veteran scientists, industrial technologists, and clinical research professionals to develop new drug delivery systems and novel drug administration devices for the treatment of neuro-ailments. - Explains the targeting approaches for enhanced brain targeting following intranasal drug administration - Explores the various nanocarriers developed to date for neurotherapeutic delivery via nose-to-brain - Discusses pharmaceutical and biomedical applications after nose-to-brain delivery of therapeutic pharmaceuticals and biologicals

Nanotechnology Methods for Neurological Diseases and Brain Tumors: Drug Delivery across the Blood-Brain Barrier compiles the latest (and future potential) treatment strategies for brain tumors and neurological diseases, in particular Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and stroke, those that bypass the blood/brain barrier. The current understanding of brain drug delivery and access is discussed in Chapter One, with the next section focusing on the implementation of the nose-to-brain intranasal route in brain-targeted drug delivery. In addition, nanotechnology-based brain drug delivery is covered in Chapter Three. This avenue offers impressive improvement in the treatment of neurological diseases and brain tumors by using bio-engineered systems that interact with biological systems at a molecular level. In Chapter Four, emphasis is placed on the need for brain-targeted experimental models that mimic disease conditions. Final chapters discuss the very latest advances in targeted treatment strategies for neurological diseases and brain tumors.

Nanomaterials for Drug Delivery and Therapy presents recent advances in the field of nanobiomaterials and their important applications in drug delivery, therapy and engineering. The book offers pharmaceutical perspectives, exploring the development of nanobiomaterials and their interaction with the human body. Chapters show how nanomaterials are used in treatments, including neurology, dentistry and cancer therapy. Authored by a range of contributors from global institutions, this book offers a broad, international perspective on how nanotechnology-based advances are leading to novel drug delivery and treatment solutions. It is a valuable research resource that will help both practicing medics and researchers in pharmaceutical science and nanomedicine learn more on how nanotechnology is improving treatments. - Assesses the opportunities and challenges of nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems - Explores how nanotechnology is being used to create more efficient drug delivery systems - Discusses which nanomaterials make the best drug carriers

Nanotechnology has the potential to change every part of our lives. Today, nanotechnology-based products are used in many areas, and one of the most important areas is drug delivery. Nanoparticulate drug delivery systems not only provide controlled delivery of drugs and improved drug solubility but also improve drug efficiency and reduce side effects via targeting mechanisms. However, compared with conventional drug delivery systems, few nanoparticle-based products are on the market and almost all are nontargeted or only passively targeted systems. In addition, obtaining targeted nanoparticle systems is quite complex and requires several evaluation mechanisms. This book discusses the production, characterization, regulation, and currently marketed targeted nanoparticle systems in a broad framework. It provides an overview of targeted nanoparticles’ (i) in vitro characterization, such as particle size, stability, ligand density, and type; (ii) in vivo behavior for different targeting areas, such as tumor, brain, and vagina; and (iii) current advances in this field, including clinical trials and regulation processes.

Medicinal chemistry is both science and art. The science of medicinal chemistry offers mankind one of its best hopes for improving the quality of life. The art of medicinal chemistry continues to challenge its practitioners with the need for both intuition and experience to discover new drugs. Hence sharing the experience of drug research is uniquely beneficial to the field of medicinal chemistry. Drug research requires interdisciplinary team-work at the interface between chemistry, biology and medicine. Therefore, the topic-related series Topics in Medicinal Chemistry covers all relevant aspects of drug research, e.g. pathobiochemistry of diseases, identification and validation of (emerging) drug targets, structural biology, drugability of targets, drug design approaches, chemogenomics, synthetic chemistry including combinatorial methods, bioorganic chemistry, natural compounds, high-throughput screening, pharmacological in vitro and in vivo investigations, drug-receptor interactions on the molecular level, structure-activity relationships, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicology and pharmacogenomics. In general, special volumes are edited by well known guest editors.

This unique book is the only one to discuss various new techniques developed to enhance the application of nanoparticulate drug delivery systems using surface modification of nanoparticles. The understanding of the surface characteristics nano-particles is growing significantly with the advent of new analytical techniques. Polymer chemistry is contributing to the development of many new versatile polymers which have abilities to accommodate many different, very reactive chemical groups, and can be used as a diagnostic tool, for better targeting, for more effective therapeutic results as well as for reducing the toxic and side effects of the drugs. Surface modification of such polymeric nanoparticles has been found by many scientists to enhance the application of nanoparticles and also allows the nano particles to carry specific drug molecule and disease /tumor specific antibodies which refine and improve drug delivery. Surface Modification of Nanoparticles for Targeted Drug Delivery is a collection essential information with various applications of surface modification of nanoparticles and their disease specific applications for therapeutic purposes.