Sunday, August 31, 2025
Science
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US
No Result
View All Result
Scienmag
No Result
View All Result
Home Science News Medicine

Innovative Drug Delivery System Opens Doors for Promising Alzheimer’s and Brain Disorder Therapies

April 9, 2025
in Medicine
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Blood-brain barrier
66
SHARES
599
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Oregon State University researchers have achieved a remarkable breakthrough in delivering anti-inflammatory medications across the notoriously selective blood-brain barrier (BBB). This advancement opens up new horizons for treating various neurological conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and cancer cachexia—a debilitating syndrome particularly prevalent among cancer patients that is characterized by severe weight loss and muscle wasting.

The research team, led by Professor Oleh Taratula from the College of Pharmacy at OSU, has devised a method utilizing specially engineered nanoparticles, which are minuscule carriers smaller than 100 billionths of a meter. These nanoparticles are designed to transport therapeutic agents efficiently and effectively to targeted areas within the brain, significantly overcoming the challenges posed by the blood-brain barrier.

In their experimental approach, the researchers employed dual peptide-functionalized polymeric nanocarriers aimed specifically at targeting the hypothalamus—a critical region of the brain involved in various essential functions, such as appetite regulation, hormone secretion, and thermoregulation. Previous attempts to deliver therapeutic agents to this part of the brain had been largely hampered by the BBB’s impermeable nature, which is intended to protect the brain from harmful substances.

The research findings, recently published in the prestigious journal Advanced Healthcare Materials, reveal substantial progress in addressing this issue. The novel delivery system was tested on a mouse model, demonstrating that these nanoparticles could not only cross the BBB but also reach the hypothalamus and deliver a drug that inhibits a specific protein linked to inflammation. This capability is particularly vital for addressing neuroinflammation linked to cachexia in cancer patients.

Cachexia is a chronic and life-threatening condition that affects up to 80% of patients with advanced cancer. It is marked by significant loss of weight and muscle mass, which occurs despite adequate nutritional intake. The debilitating effects of cachexia worsen patients’ quality of life, hinder their ability to tolerate treatments, and negatively impact their survival prospects. Understanding the role that inflammation plays in dysregulating metabolism and appetite in these patients is critical for developing effective therapeutic strategies.

The researchers focused on the hypothalamus due to its central role in regulating various bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. They found that inflammation in the hypothalamus was a primary contributor to disordered appetite and metabolism in cachexia patients. As they progressed with their study, they aimed to not only inhibit the inflammatory response but also restore normal appetite and metabolic control in affected individuals.

One of the key challenges associated with brain-targeted drug delivery is ensuring that therapeutic agents reach the correct destination within the hypothalamus. According to Taratula, the study’s nanocarriers demonstrate dual-targeting capabilities to maximize therapeutic efficacy. Even after overcoming the BBB, the nanocarriers specifically target activated microglia cells, which are essential mediators of inflammation in the brain.

The findings indicate that their engineered nanocarriers can successfully deliver an IRAK4 inhibitor specifically to the hypothalamus in mice with cancer cachexia. This is an unprecedented achievement that showcases the potential of these nanocarriers to alter the treatment landscape for patients suffering from cachexia and related inflammatory conditions.

Upon administering the treatment, the scientists observed notable reductions in key inflammatory markers within the hypothalamus. Furthermore, the results were promising, showing a remarkable 94% increase in food intake among treated subjects along with significant preservation of body weight and muscle mass. These results not only highlight the effectiveness of their approach but also suggest broader applications for treating other conditions characterized by brain inflammation.

Beyond its implications for cancer cachexia, Taratula noted that the ability of their nanoplatform to traverse the blood-brain barrier and specifically target microglial cells opens avenues for innovative treatments for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. These conditions, which are often associated with chronic neuroinflammation, could benefit from the targeted delivery of anti-inflammatory therapeutics.

The collaborative research effort included contributions from several other faculty members from the OSU College of Pharmacy and an expert from Endevica Bio. Their work has garnered financial support from multiple esteemed institutions, including the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the National Research Foundation of Korea.

In conclusion, the advancement in nanoparticle technology presented by the OSU team marks a pivotal moment in medical research, paving the way for groundbreaking treatments that could fundamentally change how we approach neurological disorders and cachexia in cancer patients. As the research continues to unfold, the implications of this work promise to drive further exploration into innovative treatment methodologies for conditions that have long posed challenges to effective intervention.

Subject of Research: Animals
Article Title: Blood-Brain Barrier-Penetrating Nanocarriers Enable Microglial-Specific Drug Delivery in Hypothalamic Neuroinflammation
News Publication Date: 3-Apr-2025
Web References: DOI Reference
References: Advanced Healthcare Materials
Image Credits: Tetiana Korzun

Keywords: blood-brain barrier, nanocarriers, inflammation, cancer cachexia, hypothalamus, neurological disorders, anti-inflammatory therapy.

Tags: advanced healthcare materials researchAlzheimer's disease therapiesanti-inflammatory medications for brain disordersblood-brain barrier breakthroughscancer cachexia treatment innovationsdual peptide-functionalized carriersinnovative drug delivery systemsnanoparticles in medicineOregon State University researchovercoming neurological treatment challengespolymeric nanocarriers for drug deliverytargeting the hypothalamus
Share26Tweet17
Previous Post

Relaxation Techniques Could Provide Temporary Relief for High Blood Pressure, Study Suggests

Next Post

Study Uncovers Gender Variations in Lip Size Preferences

Related Posts

blank
Medicine

Evaluating Screening Tools for Neurocognitive Disorders in Trauma

August 31, 2025
blank
Medicine

Pediatric Oncology Access in Urmia: Survey Insights

August 31, 2025
blank
Medicine

Peer Networks Enhance Self-Regulated Learning in Biomedical Engineering

August 31, 2025
blank
Medicine

Advanced Detection of Upper Limb Motor Intentions

August 31, 2025
blank
Medicine

Neutrophils Aid Extracellular Matrix Repair Against Pathogens

August 31, 2025
blank
Medicine

Nursing Students Evaluate Clinical Simulation for Medication Safety

August 31, 2025
Next Post
Morphed images used in the experiment

Study Uncovers Gender Variations in Lip Size Preferences

  • Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    Mothers who receive childcare support from maternal grandparents show more parental warmth, finds NTU Singapore study

    27542 shares
    Share 11014 Tweet 6884
  • University of Seville Breaks 120-Year-Old Mystery, Revises a Key Einstein Concept

    956 shares
    Share 382 Tweet 239
  • Bee body mass, pathogens and local climate influence heat tolerance

    642 shares
    Share 257 Tweet 161
  • Researchers record first-ever images and data of a shark experiencing a boat strike

    509 shares
    Share 204 Tweet 127
  • Warm seawater speeding up melting of ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ scientists warn

    313 shares
    Share 125 Tweet 78
Science

Embark on a thrilling journey of discovery with Scienmag.com—your ultimate source for cutting-edge breakthroughs. Immerse yourself in a world where curiosity knows no limits and tomorrow’s possibilities become today’s reality!

RECENT NEWS

  • Evaluating Screening Tools for Neurocognitive Disorders in Trauma
  • Pediatric Oncology Access in Urmia: Survey Insights
  • Christian Nationalism: Spirituality’s Intricate Interplay Explored
  • Peer Networks Enhance Self-Regulated Learning in Biomedical Engineering

Categories

  • Agriculture
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Athmospheric
  • Biology
  • Blog
  • Bussines
  • Cancer
  • Chemistry
  • Climate
  • Earth Science
  • Marine
  • Mathematics
  • Medicine
  • Pediatry
  • Policy
  • Psychology & Psychiatry
  • Science Education
  • Social Science
  • Space
  • Technology and Engineering

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 5,182 other subscribers

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • SCIENCE NEWS
  • CONTACT US

© 2025 Scienmag - Science Magazine

Discover more from Science

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading