Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Real Problem and Nanobiotechnological Solutions

Neurodegenerative diseases are now the most debilitating disorders affecting the human population. In recent times, neurodegenerative diseases have become the fourth leading cause of death after heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Neurodegenerative diseases affect the thinking, skilled movements, feelings, cognitive behavior, and memory of a person, resulting in short-term and long-term impairment and disabilities. Neurodegenerative diseases include serious disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, and other rare disorders like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, and prion diseases. Although a century has passed since the discovery of neurodegenerative diseases, there is still a need for more diagnostic approaches and effective cure. The emerging field of nanotechnology promises new techniques to solve some of the challenges in this field. Nanotechnological tools enable drugs to cross the blood–brain barrier and target the site of action in a specific manner. The new generation nanoparticles could also be useful in the treatment of brain diseases. In the present chapter, we explain the way ahead for nanotechnology for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.