Alzheimer's disease: pathophysiology and applications of magnetic nanoparticles as MRI theranostic agents

ACS Chem Neurosci. 2013 Nov 20;4(11):1417-29. doi: 10.1021/cn4001582. Epub 2013 Sep 26.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. During the recent decade, nanotechnology has been widely considered, as a promising tool, for theranosis (diagnosis and therapy) of AD. Here we first discuss pathophysiology and characteristics of AD with a focus on the amyloid cascade hypothesis. Then magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and recent works on their applications in AD, focusing on the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), are reviewed. Furthermore, the amyloid-nanoparticle interaction is highlighted, with the scope to be highly considered by the scientists aiming for diagnostics and/or treatment of AD employing nanoparticles. Furthermore, recent findings on the "ignored" parameters (e.g., effect of protein "corona" at the surface of nanoparticles on amyloid-β (Aβ) fibrillation process) are discussed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / adverse effects*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Ferric Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / instrumentation
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Ferric Compounds
  • Magnetite Nanoparticles
  • ferric oxide