Theranostic Nanoparticles-Dual Function Platform for Diagnosis & Treatment in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains one of the most challenging neurodegenerative disorders, marked by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and irreversible neuronal damage. Traditional approaches to AD diagnosis and treatment face major limitations—late detection, poor blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration, and a lack of real-time treatment monitoring. Theranostic nanoparticles, integrating both therapeutic and diagnostic functions into a single nanoscale platform, offer a groundbreaking solution. These smart carriers can cross the BBB, selectively bind to Alzheimer’s biomarkers such as amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles, deliver targeted drugs, and simultaneously enable advanced imaging modalities like MRI, PET, and fluorescence for real-time monitoring. By merging early detection with precision drug delivery, theranostic nanoplatforms have the potential to slow or even halt disease progression while minimizing systemic side effects. This chapter explores the design, mechanisms, applications, and clinical potential of theranostic nanoparticles in Alzheimer’s, highlighting their transformative role in the future of personalized neuromedicine.