Nanotechnology Solutions for Alzheimer’s Disease
Nanotechnology Solutions for Alzheimer’s Disease: Advances in Research Tools, Diagnostic Methods and Therapeutic Agents
Authors
1College of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. E-mail: nazem.am@gmail.com
2Departments of Bio and Chemical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607-7052, USA
Abstract
A century of research has passed since the discovery and definition of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the primary common dementing disorder worldwide. However, AD lacks definite diagnostic approaches and effective cure at the present. Moreover, the currently available diagnostic tools are not sufficient for an early screening of AD in order to start preventive approaches. Recently the emerging field of nanotechnology has promised new techniques to solve some of the AD challenges. Nanotechnology refers to the techniques of designing and manufacturing nanosize (1–100 nm) structures through controlled positional and/or self-assembly of atoms and molecules. In this report, we present the promises that nanotechnology brings in research on the AD diagnosis and therapy. They include its potential for the better understanding of the AD root cause molecular mechanisms, AD’s early diagnoses, and effective treatment. The advances in AD research offered by the atomic force microscopy, single molecule fluorescence microscopy and NanoSIMS microscopy are examined here. In addition, the recently proposed applications of nanotechnology for the early diagnosis of AD including bio-barcode assay, localized surface plasmon resonance nanosensor, quantum dot and nanomechanical cantilever arrays are analyzed. Applications of nanotechnology in AD therapy including neuroprotections against oxidative stress and anti-amyloid therapeutics, neuroregeneration and drug delivery beyond the blood brain barrier (BBB) are discussed and analyzed. All of these applications could improve the treatment approach of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. The complete cure of AD may become feasible by a combination of nanotechnology and some other novel approaches, like stem cell technology.
| Journal | Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease |
| Publisher | IOS Press |
| ISSN | 1387-2877 (Print) 1875-8908 (Online) |
| Issue | Volume 13, Number 2 / 2008 |
| Pages | 199-223 |
~ by vascoteixeira on January 8, 2009.
Posted in nanobiotechnology
Tags: Alzheimer, Alzheimer's disease, amyloid, anti-amyloid therapeutics, atomic force microscopy, bio-barcode assay, blood brain barrier, heath, medical diagnosis, nanodiagnostics, nanotechnology, stem cell, targeted drug delivery, tau protein, therapy
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[…] could be answer, right? Well, there was this research paper about that! Apparently, it’s all about finding the root cause of Alzheimer’s, being able to […]
The First Tuesday, weird thinking, and alzheimer’s said this on July 9, 2009 at 6:48 am