Estrategia terapeutiko berritzaileak Parkinson gaixotasunean: nanopartikulak

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative motor disorder, characterised by the loss of dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and subsequent motor impairment. Current treatments most commonly used in clinics, such as levodopa, restore brain dopaminergic neurotransmission. However, these treatments are merely symptomatic, lose efficacy over time and cause serious side effects. Some of the adverse effects are related to the routes of administration, as oral drugs cause non-continuous activation of dopaminergic receptors, favouring the appearance of treatment-related motor disturbances. Therefore, in addition to finding innovative treatments, new delivery systems with better safety profiles need to be developed. In this sense, nanoparticles can easily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), in addition to improving the bioavailability and efficacy of drugs, therefore minimising side effects. The efficacy of drugs such as levodopa, dopaminergic agonists or neurotrophic factors has been evaluated using different organic and inorganic nanocarriers in animal models of PD, with encouraging results. Therefore, nanoengineered particles seem to be very useful tools to deliver drugs safely, efficiently and sustainably through the BBB, and may be a promising strategy to treat neurological disorders such as PD.