The nano-neuro nexus: smart sensors at the frontier of detecting neurodegeneration

Neurodegenerative diseases are heterogeneous neurological disorders, which represent an alarming global health concern due to their delayed diagnosis, inadequate accessibility of potential biomarkers and permanent neuronal loss. Recent development of nanodiagnostic platforms bestows transformative potential in bridging such diagnostic gaps via ultra-sensitive, real-time detection of molecular and cellular imperfections preceding the clinical onset of such disorders. This manuscript summarizes the evolving landscape of nano-neuro nexus , in which the connexion between nanotechnology and neuroscience with precise restructuring of smart nanoprobes, nanosensors and bio-responsive systems is redefining the holistic capability to visualize and measure “silent signals” responsible for the characteristic pathological progression of neurodegenerative condition/s. The importance of such platforms is credited for the current advancements demonstrated in development of nanoparticle-based biosensors, quantum dots, plasmonic nanostructures and nanoelectronic devices that are capable of precisely evaluating concentration of pathology-specific misfolded protein/s, associated neurotransmitter fluctuations, oxidative stress mediated biomarkers, including presence of extracellular vesicle signatures in biofluids and neural tissues. Moreover, incorporation of such nanodiagnostic platforms with microfluidics and artificial intelligence-based models has further augmented the diagnostic precision efficiency and data interpretability. Although, these recent nanotechnological innovations holds the capacity to early and more accurate identification of a diseased condition, but challenges still exist with respect to their reduced biocompatibility, limited reproducibility, restricted blood-brain barrier permeability and successful translation into clinical outcomes. It is suggested that by addressing these limitations via considering the involvement of multidisciplinary approaches could usher in a new era of personalized nano-neuromedicine. Thus, by deciphering the concerted interaction between smart nanosystems and neural pathology, nanodiagnostic platforms holds the potential to transform management of neurodegenerative disease/s, from reactive treatment strategies to their proactive prevention methods.