Recent advances towards overcoming the blood-brain barrier

Abstract

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective element of the neurovascular unit (NVU) surrounded by astrocytes, pericytes, extracellular matrix, and the tight junctional complex, which play a fundamental role in brain homeostasis. Due to its impeccable structural architecture, the BBB is referred to as the brain's gatekeeper, a near-impenetrable barrier to therapeutics. This review summarises the significant strides that have been made in the last 5 years towards circumventing the BBB and developing efficient drug delivery systems. Challenges associated with several CNS disorders related to BBB failure and exploitation of this unique NVU component for targeted treatment of brain-related disorders are also discussed.

Keywords: BBB dysfunction; blood–brain barrier; brain-targeted therapy; central nervous system; drug delivery systems; neuroinflammation; neurological disorders; neuropharmacology.