Nanotechnology and Neurosurgery

Various nanotechniques will make substantial contributions to the advancement of neurosurgery in the near future. We here review nanotechniques relevant to (1) nanomanipulation, (2) nanoimaging, (3) non-surgical nanorepair, and (4) nanoneuromodulation. Nanomanipulation includes several techniques for performing what might be called 'surgery' on the nervous system at the level of the neuron, neuronal processes, or intracellularly. Nanoimaging refers to viewing the nervous system (and its disorders) at the cellular or subcellular level. Non-surgical nanorepair considers substances (usually manufactured rather than naturally occurring) with impressive properties to promote axonal regeneration, halt deleterious processes (e.g., hemorrhaging), and extend neuronal (and organ to organism level) lifespan. Nanoneuromodulation refers to interacting with the nervous system at the nano/neuronal level-either monitoring or stimulating-in order to affect the nervous system's electrical and/or electrochemical (e.g., neurotransmitter) function.