An Introduction to Nanotechnology and its Applications to the Central Nervous System: Implications for Neuro-ophthalmology

Nanotechnologies involve materials and devices with an engineered functional organization at the nanometer scale. Applications of nanotechnoloy to cell biology and physiology provide targeted interactions at a fundamental molecular level. In neuroscience, this entails specific interactions with neurons and glial cells. Examples of current work include technologies designed to better interact with neural cells, advanced molecular imaging technologies, applications of materials and hybrid molecules for neural regeneration and neuroprotection, and targeted delivery of drugs and small molecules across the blood-brain barrier.