Intranasal delivery of antipsychotic drugs.

Antipsychotic drugs are used to treat psychotic disorders that afflict millions globally and cause tremendous emotional, economic and healthcare burdens. However, the potential of intranasal delivery to improve brain-specific targeting remains unrealized. In this article, we review the mechanisms and methods used for brain targeting via the intranasal (IN) route as well as the potential advantages of improving this type of delivery.

Haloperidol-loaded intranasally administered lectin functionalized poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(D,L)-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Lectin-functionalized, polyethylene glycol-block-poly-(D,L)-lactic-co-glycolic acid nanoparticles loaded with haloperidol were prepared with narrow size distributions and sizes <135nm. The nanoparticles exhibited high Solanum tuberosum lectin (STL) conjugation efficiencies, encapsulation efficiencies, and drug loading capacities. The in vitro release of haloperidol was 6-8% of the loaded amount in endo-lysosomal conditions over 96h, demonstrating minimal drug leakage and the potential for the efficient drug transport to the targeted brain tissue.