Polymeric Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery in Neurological Diseases

Purpose of Review: This review aims at describing the state of the art concerning the design of polymeric nanoparticles for the treatment of neurological diseases. The most important methods of polymeric nanoparticle preparation as well as the required properties for neurological diseases have been summarized. Recent Findings: Many studies report the design of polymeric nanoparticles to treat diseases such as brain tumors, neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. However, none of the engineered nanoparticles have reached clinical trials. The reasons of the lack of translation of laboratory results have been analyzed. Many limiting steps can be attributed to the lack of reproducible studies, some controversial results or the absence of current regulations concerning systems at the nanoscale. However, recent studies indicate that these drawbacks can be overcome. Summary: It is expected that in the near future, some of the engineered nanoparticles that are under development will become novel drug delivery systems to cross the BBB, giving an efficient treatment to currently untreatable and devastating neurological diseases such as glioblastoma and Alzehimer’s disease.