Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide, with a substantial number of patients facing drug-resistant epilepsy. This comprehensive review explores innovative therapies for epilepsy management, focusing on their principles, clinical evidence, and potential applications. Traditional antiseizure medications (ASMs) form the cornerstone of epilepsy treatment, but their limitations necessitate alternative approaches. The review delves into cutting-edge therapies such as responsive neurostimulation (RNS), vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS), highlighting their mechanisms of action and promising clinical outcomes. Additionally, the potential of gene therapies and optogenetics in epilepsy research is discussed, revealing groundbreaking findings that shed light on seizure mechanisms. Insights into cannabidiol (CBD) and the ketogenic diet as adjunctive therapies further broaden the spectrum of epilepsy management. Challenges in achieving seizure control with traditional therapies, including treatment resistance and individual variability, are addressed. The importance of staying updated with emerging trends in epilepsy management is emphasized, along with the hope for improved therapeutic options. Future research directions, such as combining therapies, AI applications, and non-invasive optogenetics, hold promise for personalized and effective epilepsy treatment. As the field advances, collaboration among researchers of natural and synthetic biochemistry, clinicians from different streams and various forms of medicine, and patients will drive progress toward better seizure control and a higher quality of life for individuals living with epilepsy.
Meningitis is the acute or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes, surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and this inflammatory process spreads throughout the subarachnoid space. The traditional drug delivery methods pose a disadvantage in limiting the capacity of crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB) to reach the central nervous system (CNS). Hence, it is imperative to develop novel approaches that can overcome these constraints and offer efficient therapy for meningitis. Nanoparticle (NP)-based therapeutic approaches have the potential to address the limitations such as penetrating the BBB and achieving targeted drug release in specific cells and tissues. This review highlights recent advancements in nanotechnology-based approaches, such as functionalized polymeric nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), nanostructured lipid carriers, nanoemulsions, liposomes, transferosomes, and metallic NPs for the treatment of meningitis. Recently, bionics has emerged as a next-generation technology in the development of novel ideas from biological principles, structures, and interactions for neurological and neuroinfectious diseases. Despite their potential, more studies are needed to ensure the safety and efficacy of NP-based drug delivery systems focusing on critical aspects such as toxicity, immunogenicity, and pharmacokinetics. Therefore, this review addresses current treatment strategies and innovative nanoparticle approaches, and it discusses future directions for efficient and targeted meningitis therapies.