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How might very small nanoparticles affect the blood-brain barrier?

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The powers of 10 — nanotechnology Examples from biological and mechanical realms illustrate various “orders of magnitude” (powers of 10), from 10⁻² meter down to 10⁻⁷ meter.

The blood-brain barrier is a natural protective mechanism formed by modified brain capillaries that prevents many substances from passing from the blood into brain tissues.1

In the field of nanotechnology, researchers are exploring ways to leverage the small size of nanoparticles to overcome this barrier for medical purposes. Because the barrier is highly selective, it often hinders the delivery of therapeutic drugs to the brain. Scientists are developing methods to use nanoparticles to transport drug payloads across this barrier, which holds significant promise for treating neurological conditions such as Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, and multiple sclerosis.2

By designing nanoparticles that can navigate or interact with these specialized capillary structures, researchers aim to improve the precision and efficacy of drug delivery to the central nervous system.2