Targeted and Surface-Engineered Nanocarriers: Precision Therapy in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder, poses considerable treatment hurdles due to its complicated pathophysiology and the strong blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts central nervous system (CNS) medication delivery. Conventional medicines merely provide symptomatic alleviation and do not prevent disease development. Nanocarrier-based precision medicine provides a breakthrough approach by allowing for tailored, sustained, and brain-penetrant medication delivery systems. This chapter delves into the wide range of nanocarrier platforms developed for Alzheimer's treatment, including lipid-based carriers, polymeric nanoparticles, dendrimers, inorganic nanoparticles, and hybrid systems.

Surface engineering technologies such as ligand functionalization, receptor-mediated targeting (e.g., transferrin, LRP1, insulin receptors), PEGylation, and biomimetic cloaking are investigated for their contributions to improved specificity, BBB penetration, and biocompatibility. The chapter focuses on the mechanisms by which nanocarriers cross the blood-brain barrier, undergo cellular absorption, and accomplish intraneuronal drug release while also assisting in the clearance of pathogenic aggregates such as amyloid-beta and hyperphosphorylated tau.

Preclinical studies show that customized nanocarriers improve cognitive results and diminish pathology indicators in Alzheimer's disease models. Emerging clinical trials have promising translational potential, but issues such as long-term safety, manufacturing scalability, and regulatory approval remain. The combination of personalized therapy through biomarker and genetic targeting, as well as AI-driven design and theranostic capabilities, provides new opportunities for enhancing nanocarrier efficacy. Overall, surface-engineered nanocarriers show great potential in altering therapy paradigms for Alzheimer's disease by providing precision-targeted, minimally invasive, and multifunctional treatment options.