The present invention provides nanoparticles or conjugates comprising at least one ligand that selectively targets
sodium-myoinositol
cotransporter-1 (SMIT1) or H+- myoinositol
transporter (HMIT). In various embodiments, the nanoparticles or conjugates of the invention target at least one
cell comprising HMIT, SMIT, and / or SMIT1 (e.g., endothelial cells of
blood brain barrier). In some embodiments, the nanoparticles or conjugates of the invention cross the
blood brain barrier. In other aspects, the present invention relates to methods for
in vivo delivery of diagnostic and / or therapeutic agents to a brain. In other aspects, the present invention relates to methods of preventing or treating a neurological or cognitive
disease or disorder using the nanoparticles or conjugates of the invention.