Issues Related to Intranasal Delivery of Neuropeptides to Temporal Lobe Targets

Intranasal Delivery of a Thyrotropin‐Releasing Hormone Analog Attenuates Seizures in the Amygdala‐Kindled Rat

“…While the results obtained in the present study demonstrate proof of principle for the intranasal route of TRH delivery to the CNS, it is clear that sustained bioavailability is required in order to completely inhibit seizure generation clinically. Nonetheless, our results provide impetus for the development of novel, sustained‐release nanoparticle‐sized biodegradable carriers for delivery of TRH and other neuropeptide anticonvulsants via the intranasal route that may otherwise have low bioavailability (Kubek et al, 2001; Kubek et al, 2007).…”

“…A major barrier to entry of neuropeptides, including TRH, into the brain following intravenous, intramuscular, or oral administration is rapid metabolism as well as the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). A more feasible alternative route of administration for TRH may be to access the brain through the nasal cavity by way of transport through the nasal olfactory epithelium (Kubek et al, 2001). The olfactory epithelium is one of three epithelial types in the rat and human nose containing the dendritic processes of the olfactory neurons.…”

Attenuation of Kindled Seizures by Intranasal Delivery of Neuropeptide-Loaded Nanoparticles

“…32,79 Even though intranasal drug delivery to the brain has been actively researched for some time with only marginal success, the development of newer sustained-release biodegradable nanoparticles (as in the work reported here) may render this approach more successful in enhancing neuropeptide bioavailability. , an antibiotic, as additional components, which further optimize neuronal growth and select against microbial contamination.…”

“…Understandably, this portal is the subject of extensive ongoing research. (For reviews, see Lockman et al 63 and Kubek et al 79 ) An important consideration in the application of nose-to-brain nanoparticle delivery is that the particles must be delivered to the olfactory neuroepithelium, and not simply deposited into the respiratory epithelium. We feel that our nasal port system provides uniform and consistent access to the olfactory epithelium of the rat and could be modified for other animals as well.…”