NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM: A PANDORA BOX FOR THE MANAGE MENT OF ALZHEIMER NOVEL DRUG DELIVERY IN ALZHEIMER

Abstract

One of the biggest health issues of the twenty-first century is Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is the most prevalent cause of dementia. With an estimated 40 million affected worldwide, the number is expected to increase significantly as the population ages, resulting in significant medical, social, and financial problems. Common neuropathological alterations that contribute to cognitive decline and functional impairment include amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque accumulation, neurofibrillary tangles made of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, synaptic dysfunction, and progressive neuronal loss. The exact cause of AD is still unknown despite decades of research, involving a complex interaction of lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors. The chance of developing the condition is greatly increased by the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele, mutations in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, and modifiable variables such cardiovascular diseases, traumatic brain injury, and lifestyle choices. Memantine, an NMDA receptor antagonist, and cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) are examples of current pharmaceutical treatments that provide symptomatic relief without changing the course of the disease. Disease-modifying monoclonal antibodies that target Aβ, such as aducanumab and lecanemab, have recently raised cautious optimism, despite ongoing concerns about accessibility, safety, and efficacy. The need for a better understanding of AD pathophysiology and the conversion of basic science into useful clinical interventions is underscored by the growing emphasis on novel therapeutic approaches, such as gene-based interventions, neuroprotective approaches, and lifestyle changes. This review highlights new avenues for therapy development while giving a broad overview of the genesis, pathophysiology, and current therapeutic landscape of AD.