Growing synergy of nanodiamonds in neurodegenerative interventions

Abstract

Neurodegenerative diseases are complex in both their nature and prognosis. The difficulties associated with penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB), achieving site-specific targeting to the brain, and identifying the genetic etiologies responsible make treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and stroke, challenging. The aim to treat disease at the molecular level has galvanized nanotechnology research. Among the forms of nanoparticles (NPs) explored thus far, nanodiamonds (NDs) have shown great potential. Their unique physicochemical properties, such as a nanometer size range, stable and inert core, tunable surface, intrinsic fluorescence without photobleaching, negligible toxicity, and the ability to form complexes with drugs, highlight their theranostic potential. The ability of NDs to penetrate the BBB and target specific affected areas of the brain could take research one step closer to understanding the underlying disease etiology and unlocking more efficient methods of delivering neuromedicine to specific areas of the brain. Here, we explore interactions between NDs and the neuronal circuitry with a focus on the therapeutic potential of NDs as treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.