Antidepressants and nose-to-brain delivery: drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Why is nose-to-brain delivery considered to be a strategy that directly allows the access of antidepressants to the brain? In which circumstances can the intranasal pathway be applicable? Are there any requirements to follow? What triggers the antidepressant market? Which constraints are imposed during discovery programs? What opportunities can arise and what is their current status of development? Are they already translated into clinical practice? Which challenges are expected from recent development strategies? This review aims at providing a critical appraisal of nose-to-brain delivery of antidepressants, framed within a comprehensive analysis of drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges.