Nano-enabled theranostics for brain infections: Exploring the potential of nanoparticles and graphene

Abstract

Study aiming at formulating viable treatments for neurological disorders is intensifying in the context of their increasing prevalence. Common neurological illnesses that remain difficult to treat include ischemic stroke, glioma, neurodegenerative diseases, and traumatic brain injury. So, the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which is a very selective semipermeable membrane, keeps small molecules, proteins, and oligonucleotides from working as medicine. The blood–brain barrier (BBB), which encases the brain, protects its intricate microenvironments. Due to their ability to selectively transport pharmaceuticals across the blood-brain barrier, multifunctional nanomaterials have emerged as appealing carriers for targeted drug delivery to the brain. Graphene-based nanomaterials exhibit exceptional optical, mechanical, and biological properties. Due to their conductivity, they can serve as a substrate in tissue engineering, facilitate neural connections, and guide the growth and differentiation of neurons. Consequently, graphene-based nanomaterials represent an emerging domain in regenerative medicine. Active targeting utilizes nanostructures with exceptional receptor selectivity and targeting precision, making them ideal payloads for traversing the blood-brain barrier.  Microorganisms can efficiently traverse the blood-brain barrier and assimilate nanoparticles exhibiting biomimetic characteristics. This study focuses on a wide range of traditional diagnostic methods as well as important nanoparticles, including polymers, lipids, gold, and carbon nanotubes, that can cross the blood-brain barrier and help find meningitis and brain infections early. Furthermore, it highlights medication delivery methods utilizing nanotechnology for the study of cerebral infections, including meningitis.  The construction and function of the BBB are highlighted in this study, along with the potential of nanotechnology to transcytoses into the brain, which may aid in the treatment of neurological disorders.

DOI - https://doi.org/10.65525/SVUP.9788198471956.2025.190-216