International Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation, 2011, 1, 1, 2-3.
DOI: 10.4103/2230-973X.76720
Published: February 2011
Type: Guest Editorial
Authors:
Charles Ramassamy
INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531, boul. des Prairies, H7V 1B7 Laval, Québec, Canada
Sihem Doggui
INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier, 531, boul. des Prairies, H7V 1B7 Laval, Québec, Canada
Lé Dao
Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, INRS-EMT, Québec, Canada
ABSTRACT
A rapid increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative disorders has been observed with the aging of the population. During the last decade, a large number of pharmacologic compounds with differing brain targets were investigated. Pharmacologic agents developed using classical strategies of pharmacologic development are frequently limited by pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics problems, such as low efficacy or lack of selectivity. In addition, many drugs have poor solubility and low bioavailability, and they can be quickly degraded or cleared. Furthermore, the efficacy of different drugs is often limited by dose-dependent side effects. The targeted drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS), for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, is restricted due to the limitations posed by the blood–brain barrier (BBB), the opsonization by plasma proteins in the systemic circulation, and peripheral side effects. Read more…