New GO-based drug release technique could be useful for epilepsy treatment

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the Qingdao University of Science and Technology are studying drug delivery systems based on graphene oxide nanocomposite films. They found a way to consistently release anti-inflammatory drugs by applying electricity. Such a technique can be useful to treat epilepsy for example – when medication is “waiting inside the body” and will only be released when a seizure starts.

The researchers are using polymer thin films covered with GO nanosheets. They then coat it with an anti-inflammatory drug. This structure is then coated on an electrode. Applying electric current to the electrode causes it to release the drug. By changing the size and thickness of the GO sheets, the researchers can control how much drag is carried.