Recent advances in nanomedicine development for traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and it is also a risk factor for neurodegeneration. However, there has not been perceptible progress in treating acute TBI over the last few years, mainly due to the inability of therapeutic drugs to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), failing to exert significant pharmacological effects on the brain parenchyma. Recently, nanomedicines are emerging as a powerful tool for the treatment of TBI where nanoscale materials (also called nanomaterials) are employed to deliver therapeutic agents. The advantages of using nanomaterials as a drug carrier include their high solubility and stability, high carrier capacity, site-specific, improved pharmacokinetics, and biodistribution. Keeping these points in consideration, this article reviews the pathophysiology, current treatment options, and emerging nanomedicine strategies for the treatment of TBI. The review will help readers to gain insight into the state-of-the-art of nanomedicine as a new tool for the treatment of TBI.

Automated summary

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its treatment has seen limited progress in recent years due to the challenges of drug delivery to the brain. However, nanomedicine using nanomaterials as drug carriers is emerging as a promising strategy for the treatment of TBI. This review article provides insights into the pathophysiology of TBI, current treatment options, and emerging nanomedicine strategies, offering a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in treating TBI.