Biomaterials in Alzheimer's Disease: An Anti‐Neuroinflammatory Perspective

This review explores the role of biomaterials in the neuroinflammation of Alzheimer's disease. It highlights how nanoparticles, hydrogels, and other advanced biomaterials enable targeted drug delivery and support neural repair. The discussion emphasizes recent innovations and the ongoing challenges in translating these therapies to clinical practice, focusing on biocompatibility and effective blood‒brain barrier penetration.

Abstract

Neuroinflammation is one of the key factors in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sustained overactivation of inflammation exacerbates neuronal damage, underscoring the need for targeted anti-inflammatory therapies. Biomaterials, including nanoparticles (NPs), hydrogels, implantable scaffolds, neural probe coatings, self-assembling biomaterials, nanofibers, and exosomes, offer novel approaches to modulate neuroinflammation by enabling the precise, localized delivery of therapeutic agents and supporting tissue repair. NPs allow targeted drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), whereas hydrogels and scaffolds provide sustained drug release and structural support for neural regeneration. Emerging biomaterials, such as self-assembling peptides, nanofibers, and exosomes, have further enhanced the therapeutic potential of biomaterials. Despite promising preclinical results, translating these therapies to clinical settings remains challenging, particularly in terms of biocompatibility, stable BBB penetration, and adaptive responses to inflammation. This review summarizes recent advances in biomaterial-based therapies for neuroinflammation in neurological disorders and highlights the associated opportunities and challenges.