DRUG TARGETING INTO THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM BY STEREOTAXIC IMPLANTATION OF BIODEGRADABLE MICROSPHERES

CONTROLLED DRUG RELEASE in tbe central nervous system through an impla ntable polymeric vector has been developed in recent years. For this p urpose, different polymeric devices composed primarily of synthetic bi ocompatible and biodegradable polymers have been investigated. The fir st polymeric devices developed were macroscopic implants (monolithic d evices), which required open surgery for implantation. Microencapsulat ion methods, however, allow the production of microparticles or nanopa rticles loaded with neuroactive drugs. Because of their size, these mi cro- or nanoparticles may be easily implanted by stereotaxy in discret e, precise, and functional areas of the brain without causing damage t o the surrounding tissue. Presently, this method is most frequently ap plied in the fields of neuro-oncology and neurodegenerative diseases, but neurologically, the potential applications of drug targeting by st ereotactic implantation of drug-loaded particles are legion.