Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles: An emerging platform for theranostic applications in neurodegenerative diseases

Jialin Liu; Lihua Li

doi:10.70401/bmeh.2026.0030

Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles: An emerging platform for theranostic applications in neurodegenerative diseases

Jialin Liu

Lihua Li

*Correspondence to: Lihua Li, MOE Key Laboratory of Laser Life Science & Institute of Laser Life Science, Future Institute of Technology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, Guangdong, China. E-mail: lilihua@scnu.edu.cn

BME Horiz. 2026;4:202613. 10.70401/bmeh.2026.0030

Received: February 13, 2026Accepted: June 11, 2026Published: June 11, 2026

This manuscript is made available in its unedited form to allow early access to the reported findings. Further editing will be completed before final publication. As such, the content may include errors, and standard legal disclaimers are applicable.

Abstract

Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles (LNPs) offer an emerging non-invasive theranostic platform for monitoring and treating neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) own to their high optical stability, deep tissue penetration, and excellent biocompatibility. Their key advantage lies in the ability to produce upconversion or downshifting luminescence under near-infrared excitation, enabling high-resolution deep-tissue imaging and in situ monitoring, particularly suitable for tracking pathological progression and studying molecular interactions in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. By integrating functional components such as organic dyes, noble metal nanoparticles, or therapeutic agents, LNPs can be engineered into multifunctional theranostic nanoplatforms capable of simultaneous diagnosis and targeted therapy. Moreover, their precisely tunable emission properties open new avenues for deep-brain imaging and optical modulation. This review systematically summarizes the luminescence mechanisms of LNPs and recent advances in their applications for biosensing and diagnosis in NDs. It covers the detection of key biomarkers, including metal ions, nucleic acid, protein and reactive oxygen specie. The discussion further extends to the therapeutic strategies targeting intracellular and microenvironmental factors, as well as synergistic approaches,with a particular emphasis on the role of LNPs in targeted drug delivery and combined theranostics. Finally, the review discusses future prospects for leveraging this platform to improve clinical outcomes in NDs.

Keywords

LNPs, neurodegenerative diseases, theranostics, bioimaging, targeted drug delivery

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Liu J, Li L. Lanthanide-doped nanoparticles: An emerging platform for theranostic applications in neurodegenerative diseases. BME Horiz. 2026;4:202613. https://doi.org/10.70401/bmeh.2026.0030