Revolutionizing neurological therapies: The role of 3D printed microneedles in precision brain targeted drug delivery

The use of 3D printing has emerged as an effective method in fabricating pharmaceutical drug products with various geometric forms. Microneedle arrays are innovative devices that are gaining popularity, primarily for their use in drug delivery. These devices are applied through the skin, offering a minimally invasive method for therapeutic applications. The basics of 3D printing technology and materials employed for fabrication of microneedle using 3D printing is discussed in this review. The review encompasses different manufacturing techniques such as direct laser writing, two photon polymerization, dynamic light processing, stereolithography of 3D printed microneedles. The review also entails the drug loading and release mechanism through the blood brain barrier of 3D printed microneedles. The review primarily focuses on targeting the brain for drug delivery using 3D-printed microneedles. The challenges and future perspective regarding 3D printed microneedles with respect to brain targeted drug delivery also summarised.