Vectorized nanodelivery systems for ischemic stroke: a concept and a need

Neurological diseases of diverse aetiologies have significant effects on the quality of life of patients. The limited self-repairing capacity of the brain is considered to be the origin of the irreversible and progressive nature of many neurological diseases. Therefore, neuroprotection is an important goal shared by many clinical neurologists and neuroscientists. In this review, we discuss the main obstacles that have prevented the implementation of experimental neuroprotective strategies in humans and propose alternative avenues for the use of neuroprotection as a feasible therapeutic approach. Special attention is devoted to nanotechnology, which is a new approach for developing highly specific and localized biomedical solutions for the study of the multiple mechanisms involved in stroke. Nanotechnology is contributing to personalized neuroprotection by allowing us to identify mechanisms, determine optimal therapeutic windows, and protect patients from brain damage. In summary, multiple aspects of these new players in biomedicine should be considered in future in vivo and in vitro studies with the aim of improving their applicability to clinical studies.This project was partially supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (SAF2011-30517 and SAF2014-56336-R), Xuntade Galicia (Consellería de Educación: GRC2014/027, and Axencia Galegade Innovación), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (PI13/00292 and PI14/01879), Spanish Research Network on Cerebrovascular Diseases RETICS-INVICTUS (RD16/0019), and by the European Union FEDER program. This study was also co-funded by the POCTEP (Operational Programme for Cross-border Cooperation Spain–Portugal) program (0681_INVENNTA_1_E) and co-financed by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund). T. Sobrino (CP12/03121) and F. Campos (CP14/00154) are recipients of research contracts from Miguel Servet Program of Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Likewise, A. Vieites-Prado is the recipient of a FPI fellowship (BES-2012-056027) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and CompetitivenessMinisterio de Economía y Competitividad (España) (SAF2011-30517 y SAF2014-56336-R)Xunta de Galicia. Consellería de EducaciónXunta de Galicia. Axencia Galega de InnovaciónInstituto de Salud Carlos IIIRed de Enfermedades Vasculares Cerebrales RETICS-INVICTUSFondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER)Programa cooperación transfronteriza España - Portugal (POCTEP