Physically open BBB

Abstract As the protective barrier of the central nervous system (CNS), the blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintains the brain microenvironment, neuronal activity, and proper functioning of the CNS. Due to its robustness and cell integrity, it is also an outstanding opponent when it comes to the delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain, which requires the crossing through its highly organized structure. Different strategies to open the BBB for efficient CNS delivery are reviewed in this chapter. Both chemical and physical methods which can temporarily disrupt the overall organization and normal structure of the BBB and promote the penetration of nanoparticles to the CNS are described.