Dear Colleagues,

The central nervous system (CNS) is the most mysterious and fascinating organ system in the human body responsible for regulating a myriad of vital functions and enabling higher cognitive processes. However, the CNS is also highly vulnerable to various disorders that can impair its normal functioning and affect the quality of life of millions of people around the world. Developing effective treatments for these disorders is a daunting task, as most drugs cannot reach the CNS due to the presence of formidable barriers that protect it from harmful substances. These barriers, namely the blood–brain barrier and the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier, are selective and tightly regulated, allowing only certain molecules to cross into the CNS.

This Special Issue aims to shed light on the challenges and opportunities in drug design and delivery for the CNS, showcasing innovative strategies and novel materials that can overcome these barriers and deliver drugs to their desired targets with precision and control. This Special Issue covers a wide range of topics, from understanding the mechanisms and dynamics of the barriers, to designing and synthesizing new drugs and carriers, to evaluating their safety and efficacy in preclinical and clinical studies. The ultimate goal is to unravel the secrets of the CNS and enable transformative therapies that can cure or alleviate the symptoms of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey to explore the borders of drug delivery for the CNS and discover new ways to improve the health and well-being of patients suffering from these debilitating conditions. We welcome original research and comprehensive review articles that contribute to advancing knowledge and practice in this emerging field.

Dr. Masaru Tanaka
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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• central nervous system
• central nervous system diseases
• drug delivery systems
• blood–brain barrier
• blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier
• drug design
• nanomedicine
• neuropharmacology
• neuroprotective agents
• biomarkers