Nanotechnologies Targeting Traumatic Brain Injury: From Diagnosis to Targeted Therapy

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex neurological condition involving both primary mechanical damage and a cascade of secondary injuries, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Although significant progress has been made in understanding TBI pathophysiology, current treatment strategies remain largely supportive and fail to effectively target the underlying secondary injury mechanisms. This therapeutic gap highlights the urgent need for innovative and more effective interventions. Nanotechnology has emerged as a promising avenue, offering targeted drug delivery systems, improved BBB penetration, and integrated diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. These innovations have the potential to significantly enhance treatment precision and outcomes in TBI. This review provides a systematic overview of the pathological processes underlying TBI, critically assesses the limitations of existing therapeutic approaches, and summarizes recent advances in nanomedicine-based strategies developed over the past five years. Particular emphasis is placed on emerging diagnostic technologies and therapeutic innovations, offering perspectives on future directions for TBI research and clinical translation.