Impact of aging on small molecule transport across the blood-brain barrier in neurodegenerative disorders
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Huntington Disease (HD) are projected to become the second leading cause of death by 2040, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite the availability of conventional treatments like medications, therapies, and lifestyle adjustments, these interventions primarily manage symptoms rather than halt or reverse disease progression. Recent research has focused on developing therapies that can modify the underlying degenerative processes. A significant challenge in treating NDDs is the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a dynamic interface that protects the brain but also obstructs drug delivery. Traditional treatment options have largely been unsuccessful, with 190 investigational new drugs failing in clinical trials. The development of non-invasive drug delivery systems, particularly those involving small molecules, has
