In Vitro and In Vivo Techniques to Assess Neurotoxicity of Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is rapidly advancing in fields such as healthcare. The idea of nanotoxicology arises from the fact that the small size of nanoparticles is the main cause for their adverse biological effects. Nanoparticles can cross the blood–brain barrier accidently during treatment or by inhalation from the environment, in addition to the intentional application for neurological disorders therapy. Consequently, nanoneurotoxicity is a source of concern despite the field’s significant success. Screening for basal cytotoxicity is the first toxicological assessment in drug development, and it can also be used to measure nanotoxicity. Certain cell lines can be used for specific neurotoxicity screening. In vivo studies on pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) are a reliable source of information during drug development and toxicological studies. Cytotoxicity screening methods can assess a large number of samples, but they lack the complexity of in vivo systems. Preclinical in vivo testing is more time consuming and more expensive than in vitro testing. A close consensus of in vitro and in vivo assessments is a prerequisite for efficient pharmaceutical development. In vivo models can be used to validate in vitro models and to verify outcomes of in vitro studies.