News

Statin Use Associated With Cataracts

Statin drugs are known to reduce cholesterol, which benefits the retina. The medications may, however, also increase the risk of cataracts, according to a report published September 19, 2013 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. An analysis of 6,972 subjects showed that those taking the medication had a 9% higher risk of cataract [Read More]

Strong Support for Effective FDA Regulation of Compounding Pharmacies

Voters Expect to Be Informed If They Are Prescribed A Drug Not Approved By the FDA  WASHINGTON – As Congress considers legislation to address the oversight of compounding pharmacies, a new, independent survey released today highlights the large gap between voters’ expectations that the medications they receive are FDA-approved and loopholes in federal law that [Read More]

C3 Gene Variant Linked To Macular Degeneration

Researchers report that a change in the C3 gene, which plays a role in inflammation and in the body’s immune response, also contributes to macular degeneration. After sequencing DNA from 10 regions of the genome that had been previously linked to AMD in previous genetic studies, the researchers turned up two gene variants: one in the [Read More]

High Dose Stem Cell Transplant Performed

Stem Cells (STEM) has announced the first patient to receive a high dose of one million purified human neural stem cells (HuCNS-SC®) in their Phase 1/2 clinical trial. This followed an independent review by the Data Safety Monitoring Committee, which found no safety issues with proceeding to the high dose. The 16-patient trial is designed to evaluate the [Read More]