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Carbon nanotube uptake and toxicity in the brain.

Authors :
Zhang L
Alizadeh D
Badie B
Source :
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.) [Methods Mol Biol] 2010; Vol. 625, pp. 55-65.
Publication Year :
2010

Abstract

The development of novel drug delivery systems is essential for the improvement of therapeutics for most human diseases. Currently used cellular delivery systems, such as viral vectors, liposomes, cationic lipids, and polymers, may have limited clinical efficacy because of safety issues, low gene transfer efficiency, or cytotoxicity. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have garnered much interest as possible biological vectors after the recent discovery of their capacity to penetrate cells. Inspite of the prominence of CNT studies in the nanotechnology literature, exploration of their application to central nervous system (CNS) therapeutics is at a very early stage. Before CNTs are used for treatment of brain and spinal cord disorders, however, several issues such as their CNS penetration and toxicity need to be addressed. Here, we discuss methods by which CNT uptake and toxicity can be assessed in animal models.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1940-6029
Volume :
625
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
20422381
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60761-579-8_6