Blood-brain barrier delivery

Drug Discov Today. 2007 Jan;12(1-2):54-61. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2006.10.013. Epub 2006 Nov 13.

Abstract

Neuropharmaceutics is the largest potential growth sector of the pharmaceutical industry. However, this growth is blocked by the problem of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Essentially 100% of large-molecule drugs and >98% of small-molecule drugs do not cross the BBB. The BBB can be traversed because there are multiple endogenous transporters within this barrier. Therefore, brain drug development programs of the future need to be re-configured so that drugs are formulated to enable transport into the brain via endogenous BBB transporters.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / metabolism*
  • Brain / blood supply
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Drug Design
  • Humans
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage*
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemical synthesis

Substances

  • Pharmaceutical Preparations