Exploring the applications of molecularly imprinted polymers in drug delivery to the nervous system

The effective management of neurological disorders remains a major clinical challenge, as conventional therapeutics are often limited by poor nervous system permeability, suboptimal bioavailability, and systemic toxicity. These shortcomings have intensified interest in developing advanced drug delivery systems (DDSs) capable of targeted and controlled drug release. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), synthetic matrices endowed with tailor-made recognition sites, have emerged as a conceptually powerful platform for achieving molecular selectivity, structural stability, and programmable release kinetics. However, their translation into DDSs for neurological applications remains nascent and largely preclinical. Current evidence highlights a significant translational gap in MIP synthesis due to batch-to-batch variability, limited reproducibility, leaching of template molecules, residual monomer toxicity, and mass transport challenges. Inconsistent experimental design, lack of standardized characterization, and a focus on short-term cell viability instead of long-term biocompatibility further compromise therapeutic reliability and safety in vivo . This review delineates these limitations and outlines the strategic directions necessary for clinical advancement. Future progress will depend on the rational design of biodegradable, stimuli-responsive, and bio-orthogonal MIPs that achieve predictable release and safe clearance in neural environments. A shift from experimental methods to rational, data-driven design and manufacturing is imperative to achieve the requisite reproducibility and scalability. Collectively, while MIPs have yet to achieve clinical maturity, their unique molecular precision and adaptability position them as a promising framework for next-generation DDS. However, this potential is contingent upon a concerted, interdisciplinary effort to bridge persistent material and biological gaps in neuroscience and beyond.