Nanotechnology has immense potential to revolutionize the treatment and diagnosis of
neurodegenerative diseases such as the Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is characterized by parenchymal
amyloid plaques; intraneuronal tangles; substantial neuronal loss in the cortex and hippocampus; and
significant cognitive decline. Treatment in the early stages of the disease is critical to halt or even
reverse the neurodegeneration associated with AD. However, none of the diagnostic methods existing
today can provide a definitive pre-mortem diagnosis of AD; currently available AD treatments can only
offer symptomatic relief but do not address the underlying pathology. Nanotechnology is enhancing the
sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography contrast
agents that can detect various pathological hallmarks of AD such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary
tangles. In addition, nanotechnology enables the targeted delivery of novel therapeutic compounds that
are being developed for AD treatment; enhance their efficacy; and reduce systemic toxicity. Some of
these notable advances in AD diagnosis and treatment propelled by the nanotechnology are reviewed in
this chapter.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; amyloid plaques; neurofibrillary trangles; contrast imaging; smart
nanovehicles; biomarkers; treatment; pharmacology; nanotechnology; genetics.