Strategies to overcome the blood-brain barrier: Advances in brain drug delivery systems

Delivering novel therapeutics to the brain remains a major challenge due to the restricted passage of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Effective drug delivery systems must ensure stability, targeted transport, and efficient cellular uptake of the agent.

The challenge of delivering therapeutics across the BBB remains a critical bottleneck in the drug development pathway. Traditional drug delivery methods often fail to achieve effective concentrations in the CNS, primarily because of the strict regulatory functions of BBB. This Special Issue aims to bring together the latest advancements in BBB penetration techniques, to promote a deeper understanding of the mechanisms governing BBB permeability, and identify innovative solutions that can be translated into clinical applications. Contributions that explore emerging technologies, mechanistic insights, and translational challenges in brain drug delivery are especially encouraged. Fundamental research and applied solutions are the focus of this Special Issue. It is expected to aggregate research that can collaborate to advance the field toward more effective CNS-targeted therapies.

This Special Issue aims to showcase innovative research on overcoming BBB to improve drug delivery to the CNS. We welcome contributions that explore novel strategies, emerging technologies, and translational approaches that could enhance therapeutic efficacy.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Nanocarrier-based drug delivery (polymeric, lipidic or inorganic nanoparticles, protein carriers, viral vectors, exosomes, micelles, neurotargeting aptamers, DNA nanostructures);
- Receptor-mediated transcytosis and ligand-targeted strategies;
- Ultrasound-assisted BBB disruption and microbubble-mediated delivery;
- Cell-penetrating peptides and peptide-drug conjugates for BBB penetration;
- Alternative delivery methods (such as intranasal administration);
- Computational modeling and AI-driven BBB permeability predictions;
- In vitro and in vivo models for BBB research and drug screening;
- Clinical translation challenges and regulatory considerations for BBB-penetrating drugs.

We invite the submission of original research articles and structured or systematic reviews that contribute to advancing this field. High-quality studies presenting experimental, computational, or translational insights into CNS-targeted therapies are especially encouraged.

Article types and fees

This Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Issue description:

• Brief Communication
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Review

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Issue accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Issue description:

• Brief Communication
• Commentary
• Editorial
• Mini Review
• Original Research
• Review

Keywords: Blood-Brain Barrier, Drug Delivery systems, Nanocarriers, Central Nervous System Therapeutics, Brain Drug Design