Gold nanostructures: synthesis, properties, and neurological applications
Iman Zare, Mohammad Tavakkoli Yaraki, G. Speranza, Alireza Hassani Najafabadi, Alireza Shourangiz-Haghighi, Amirala Bakhshian Nik, Bella B. Manshian, Cláudia Saraiva, Stefaan J. Soenen, Marcelo J. Kogan, Jee Woong Lee, Nicholas V. Apollo, Liliana Bernardino, Eyleen Araya, Dirk Mayer, Guangzhao Mao, Michael R. Hamblin
Abstract
experimental setups. The intersection between neuroscience and nanoscience may generate long-term neural interfaces adapted at the molecular level. Owing to their intrinsic physicochemical characteristics, gold nanostructures (GNSs) have received much attention in neuroscience, especially for combined diagnostic and therapeutic (theragnostic) purposes. GNSs have been successfully employed to stimulate and monitor neurophysiological signals. Hence, GNSs could provide a promising solution for the regeneration and recovery of neural tissue, novel neuroprotective strategies, and integrated implantable materials. This review covers the broad range of neurological applications of GNS-based materials to improve clinical diagnosis and therapy. Sub-topics include neurotoxicity, targeted delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system (CNS), neurochemical sensing, neuromodulation, neuroimaging, neurotherapy, tissue engineering, and neural regeneration. It focuses on core concepts of GNSs in neurology, to circumvent the limitations and significant obstacles of innovative approaches in neurobiology and neurochemistry, including theragnostics. We will discuss recent advances in the use of GNSs to overcome current bottlenecks and tackle technical and conceptual challenges.