Carbon dots as versatile nano-architectures for the treatment of neurological disorders

Carbon dots (CDs) are neoteric forms of carbon nanostructure, that have got developed as exceptionally promising agents with versatile biomedical applications, spanning from bioimaging studies, to treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). CDs exhibit exceptional attributes, including biocompatibility, nanoscale dimensions (below 10nm), and tunable optical properties, robust photostability, and straightforward synthetic procedures, rendering them highly suitable across a spectrum of scientific domains. The advancement of innovative methodologies like CDs assume a pivotal role in facilitating early diagnosis and effective management of neurological disorders. In bio-applications, CDs are prized for their low toxicity and fluorescence properties, since they are responsive to red or near-infrared light (600-1000nm) and are particularly valuable due to their tissue-friendly excitation. The easy surface modification of CDs with analyte-specific targeting also facilitates the development of robust optical sensors. Additionally, the toxicity of nanoparticles is also governed by their charge. Which implies that, nanoparticles with a positive charge tend to be more toxic than those with a neutral or anionic charge, thus the charge on the particles define their toxicity levels. This suggests that, when considering drug/gene delivery or bioimaging, CDs are still in the early phases of development, with specific limitations that can hinder their complete clinical application. Along with these, a notable challenge in the development of neuro drug delivery systems is presented by the formidable blood-brain-barrier (BBB), which substantially restricts the penetration of therapeutic agents into the central nervous system (CNS). Consequently, this chapter endeavors to provide a comprehensive overview of recent scientific inquiries focusing on the utilization of CDs to facilitate the development of neuro diagnostic and delivery systems aimed with CNS access through BBB traversal. This chapter explores by understanding various methods of synthesis, succinctly delineating the distinctive optical properties of CDs, and examining their potential toxicity.