Gold nanoparticles: diagnostic and therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative disorders

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and prion diseases, pose a significant and escalating health challenge in the context of an ageing population. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have emerged as promising agents in the diagnostic and therapeutic realms of NDDs, due to their unique ability to enhance drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This paper presents a comprehensive review of the application of GNPs in the context of NDDs diagnosis and therapy, highlighting their potential to transform patient management. Additionally, we systematically address the critical challenges associated with the use of GNPs in the treatment and diagnosis of NDDs, focusing on pharmacokinetics and metabolism, toxicity, long-term biocompatibility, regulatory challenges and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, we synthesise ongoing clinical studies to provide a holistic perspective on the current state of research in this field. We also explore the prospective trajectories and clinical translational potential of GNPs, which may usher in a new era in the treatment of NDDs.