Theranostic applications of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)-based materials in brain disorders: Recent advances and challenges

Abstract The brain is the body's most complicated organ, and it helps to control intellectual, behavioral, and emotional functions. Many illnesses, ranging from traumas to malignancies and neurodegenerative diseases, are related to the brain. Nanotechnology-based strategies and nanomaterials with their unique physicochemical properties have been evaluated for targeted delivery and imaging/biosensing applications; however, important challenging issues such as enough biocompatibility, biodegradability, safety, low toxicity, and high efficacy should be analytically and comprehensively analyzed. Scientists have been working on medications that can penetrate from the physical (blood–brain barrier), electrical, and chemical barriers of the brain, and address the intended location with high efficacy and low side effects. The application of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)-based materials for biomedical and biological purposes has been exploded in recent years, thanks to MOFs' precision tunability, large surface areas, and high loading abilities. It was revealed that MOFs-based materials could help in detecting and treating several brain illnesses and disorders. In this highlight, we discussed about the theranostic applications of MOFs-based materials in brain disorders. Additionally, different administration routes and important toxicity challenges of these materials are highlighted. MOFs-based materials can help to improve healthcare systems by providing simple and effective diagnostic and treatment strategies; future investigations should focus on ways to reduce side effects, green synthesis methods, biodegradability/bioavailability improvement, and efficiency enhancement.