Nanotechnology Solutions for Alzheimer's Disease: Advances in Research Tools, Diagnostic Methods and Therapeutic Agents
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Mar 18, 2008
A century of research has passed since the discovery and definition of Alzheimer&... more A century of research has passed since the discovery and definition of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the primary common dementing disorder worldwide. However, AD lacks definite diagnostic approaches and effective cure at the present. Moreover, the currently available diagnostic tools are not sufficient for an early screening of AD in order to start preventive approaches. Recently the emerging field of nanotechnology has promised new techniques to solve some of the AD challenges. Nanotechnology refers to the techniques of designing and manufacturing nanosize (1-100 nm) structures through controlled positional and/or self-assembly of atoms and molecules. In this report, we present the promises that nanotechnology brings in research on the AD diagnosis and therapy. They include its potential for the better understanding of the AD root cause molecular mechanisms, AD's early diagnoses, and effective treatment. The advances in AD research offered by the atomic force microscopy, single molecule fluorescence microscopy and NanoSIMS microscopy are examined here. In addition, the recently proposed applications of nanotechnology for the early diagnosis of AD including bio-barcode assay, localized surface plasmon resonance nanosensor, quantum dot and nanomechanical cantilever arrays are analyzed. Applications of nanotechnology in AD therapy including neuroprotections against oxidative stress and anti-amyloid therapeutics, neuroregeneration and drug delivery beyond the blood brain barrier (BBB) are discussed and analyzed. All of these applications could improve the treatment approach of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. The complete cure of AD may become feasible by a combination of nanotechnology and some other novel approaches, like stem cell technology.
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Papers by G.Ali Mansoori
technologies which are presently under development in nanoscale. It plays a major role in the development of innovative methods to produce new products, to substitute existing production equipment and to reformulate new materials and chemicals with improved performance resulting in less
consumption of energy and materials and reduced harm to the environment as well as environmental remediation. Although, reduced consumption of energy and materials benefits the environment, nanotechnology will give possibilities to remediate problems associated with the existing processes in a more sustainable way. Environmental applications of nanotechnology address the development of solutions to the existing environmental problems, preventive measures for future problems resulting from the interactions of energy and materials with the environment, and any possible risks that may be posed by nanotechnology itself.
This article gives a comprehensive review on the ongoing research and development activities on environmental remediation by nanotechnology.
First, the essential aspects of environmental problems are reviewed and
then the application of nanotechnology to the compounds, which can
serve as environmental cleaning, is described. Various environmental
treatments and remediations using different types of nanostructured
materials from air, contaminated wastewater, groundwater, surface water and soil are discussed.
The categories of nanoparticles studied include those which are based on
titanium dioxide, iron, bimetallics, catalytic particles, clays, crbon nanotube, fullerenes, dendrimers and magnetic nanoparticles. Their advantages and limitations in the environmental applications are evaluated and compared with each other and with the existing techniques. The operating conditions such as pH, required doses, initial concentrations, and treatment performances are also presented and compared. The report covers the bulk of the published researches during the period of 1997 to 2007.