Gold nanoparticles for treatment of cerebral diseases

Nanoscale gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and its composite materials have shown promising results in the biomedical realm, especially in brain diseases. The natural ability of AuNPs to traverse the blood–brain barrier is driven by its size, shape, surface charge, and functionalization with peptides and other molecules. The potential of AuNPs has been explored in the therapy and diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease and glioma with the help of fluorescence, photoacoustic, and contrast tomography imaging. Their potential has been explored in brain diseases including stroke, traumatic brain injury, inflammation, glioma, and neurodevelopmental and neurogenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Herein, this chapter has highlighted studies that have involved application of AuNPs for brain disease therapy and diagnosis.