Nanomedicine: Pioneering Advances in Neural Disease, Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

Background: Neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), stroke, and spinal cord injury (SCI) are significant global health challenges due to their complex pathology and limited therapeutic options. Conventional treatments often fail to efficiently cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), leading to poor bioavailability and systemic toxicity. This narrative review explores the potential of nanomedicine in addressing these limitations and advancing targeted therapies for neural disorders. Methods: This review examines recent studies on the use of engineered nanoparticles (NPs), including liposomes, dendrimers, micelles, and nanogels, for targeted drug delivery and multifunctional theranostics in neural diseases. It evaluates their role in promoting axon regeneration, reducing neuroinflammation, and repairing neural damage. Additionally, innovative applications in gene therapy and RNA-based treatments, such as CRISPR-Cas9 and RNA interference (RNAi), are discussed. Challenges related to toxicity, scalability, affordability, and regulatory barriers are highlighted, along with potential strategies to address these issues. Results: Nanoparticles have shown significant promise in crossing the BBB, delivering therapeutic agents to neural tissues, and minimizing off-target effects. Emerging applications in gene and RNA-based therapies demonstrate their versatility in addressing disease-specific challenges. However, unresolved issues such as long-term safety, manufacturing scalability, and cost continue to pose challenges. Conclusions: Nanomedicine offers a promising approach to overcoming current limitations in the treatment of neural disorders. This review emphasizes the need for continued interdisciplinary efforts to address translational barriers and highlights the potential for nanomedicine to improve the outcomes and quality of life for patients with neural disorders, stroke, and SCI.