Liposomal Drug Delivery for Neurological Disorders: Advances and Challenges
Authors: Javed Aysha , Mandal Purba , khan Imran , Singh Aditya , Akhtar Juber , Maheshwari Shubhrat , Prajapati Bhupendra G. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract:
Liposomal drug delivery methods are becoming increasingly viable options for improving
treatment outcomes for neurological illnesses. These systems provide a flexible framework for
the formulation of medications intended for delivery to the brain, protecting the medication from
enzymatic breakdown and enhancing its bioavailability. To maximize liposome-drug interactions
and improve brain-targeted delivery efficiency, a variety of formulation strategies are used, such
as surface modification and remote loading. By utilizing various pathways to cross the blood-
-brain barrier (BBB), such as passive diffusion and receptor-mediated transcytosis, liposomes facilitate
the effective transport of therapeutic drugs to the brain parenchyma. Liposomal formulations
show potential for targeted drug delivery, reducing off-target effects, and improving treatment efficacy
in neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis,
and brain cancers. For instance, in Parkinson's disease, liposomal delivery of neuroprotective
agents can help maintain dopamine levels and protect dopaminergic neurons. In Alzheimer's
disease, liposomes can be engineered to deliver drugs that reduce amyloid-beta plaques or tau tangles.
For brain cancer, liposomal chemotherapy can target tumor cells more precisely while minimizing
damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In stroke, liposomal delivery of neuroprotective
agents can reduce the extent of brain damage, while in multiple sclerosis, liposomes can be used
to deliver drugs that modulate the immune response. However, the clinical translation of liposomal
drug delivery systems for brain diseases faces challenges related to scalability, stability, and
immunogenicity, in addition to regulatory barriers. Scalability issues arise from the complex manufacturing
processes required to produce liposomes consistently on a large scale. Stability concerns
involve maintaining the integrity of liposomes during storage and after administration. Immunogenicity
can be a problem if the liposomes trigger an unwanted immune response, potentially reducing
their effectiveness or causing adverse effects. To overcome these obstacles, multidisciplinary
cooperation is essential. Collaboration among materials scientists, pharmacologists, neurologists,
and regulatory experts can drive the development of more robust liposomal formulations.
Continuous research is needed to refine liposome designs, such as by optimizing lipid composition,
surface charge, and size to improve stability and targeting capabilities. Advanced techniques
like PEGylation (coating liposomes with polyethylene glycol) can help reduce immunogenicity
and extend circulation time in the bloodstream. Despite these challenges, liposomal methods present
intriguing prospects for transforming medication administration to the brain and offering effective
treatments for neurological illnesses. The development of more sophisticated liposomal
technologies, combined with a deeper understanding of their mechanisms of action, could lead to
significant breakthroughs in the treatment of neurological disorders. For example, research into ligand-
targeted liposomes, which use specific molecules to bind to receptors on the BBB, holds
promise for enhancing delivery specificity and efficiency. To fully realize the therapeutic promise
of these novel drug delivery systems, further advancements in liposomal technologies and a deeper
understanding of their mechanisms are necessary. This includes not only technical improvements
but also comprehensive preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate safety, efficacy, and
long-term effects. As our knowledge expands and technology progresses, liposomal drug delivery
could become a cornerstone of neurological disease treatment, providing new hope for patients
with previously intractable conditions.