Nerve Growth Factor Eye-Drops for Brain Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current treatments for Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, such as intracerebral administration of nerve growth factor (NGF), face challenges due to the inability of NGF to pass through the blood-brain barrier via systemic administration, leading to complications and inefficiencies in delivering therapeutic concentrations to brain tissues.
Innovation Solution
Administering NGF in the form of eye-drops on the ocular surface, which allows the molecule to increase levels in brain tissues, including cerebrospinal fluid, enabling therapeutic action on neurodegenerative and ischemic brain diseases without the need for invasive methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If NGF is administered systemically (e.g., intracerebrally), then therapeutic concentrations can be delivered to brain tissues, but the treatment becomes invasive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the ocular surface as an intermediary route to deliver NGF to the brain. Instead of directly injecting into the brain (invasive method), NGF is applied to the eye surface where it can be absorbed and transported through the bloodstream to reach brain tissues, thus avoiding direct brain invasion while still achieving therapeutic concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical invasive injection method with a non-invasive topical application method. Instead of using syringes and needles to deliver NGF directly to the brain, the system uses simple eye-drop application that relies on natural absorption and circulation to transport NGF to the target tissues
2Reliability
If NGF is administered systemically, then therapeutic action on brain tissues is achieved, but side effects and complications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ocular surface serves as a safe intermediary that allows NGF to enter the circulation system without direct contact with sensitive brain structures. This intermediate route reduces the risk of infections, hemorrhages, and injuries that are associated with direct intracerebral injections, while still achieving the desired therapeutic effect in the brain
3Ease of operation
If NGF is administered via eye-drops, then the administration method becomes simple and non-invasive, but the ability to deliver therapeutic concentrations to brain tissues is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces complex invasive delivery systems with simple topical application. The eye-drop formulation allows NGF to be easily applied to the ocular surface, where it is then naturally absorbed and distributed through the bloodstream to brain tissues, achieving therapeutic concentrations without requiring complex delivery devices or procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The body's own circulation system is utilized to transport NGF from the ocular surface to the brain. After topical application, the natural bloodstream carries NGF to target tissues without requiring external pumping or forced delivery mechanisms, thus maintaining both simplicity and effectiveness
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
NGF eye-drops effectively decrease apoptotic neurons, increase dopaminergic neurons, reduce amyloid plaques, and enhance acetylcholine levels, demonstrating therapeutic efficacy in animal models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease with minimal side effects.
Implementation Method 1
it has been surprisingly found that NGF, when administered in the form of eye-drops, is able to pass through
Implementation Method 2
administering NGF in the form of eye-drops on the ocular surface, which allows the molecule to increase levels in brain tissues, including cerebrospinal fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Nerve growth factor (NGF)1 in the form of a preparation for administration on the ocular surface, is proposed for use in the therapy and/or prophylaxis of pathologies affecting brain tissues and encephalic structures, with particular reference to pathologies affecting the hippocampus, cerebral cortex, basal forebrain, medial septum, Broca's diagonal band, Meynert's basal nucleus, substantia nigra pars compacta, striatum and cerebellum. Applied in the form of an external ophthalmic preparation, for example, as eye-drops or ointment, the NGF is able to pass from the ocular surface to the brain tissues, and has been found to exert a therapeutic action on pathologies of the central nervous system, and particularly on Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.