Diabetes and high estrogen levels raise dementia risk for women

Women aged 65 and over who have both diabetes and high estrogen levels are 14 times more likely to develop dementia than women who have neither condition.

Breakthrough: Scientists create embryonic stem cells without embryos

It may not be necessary to create an embryo to acquire embryonic stem cells. Research findings demonstrate that creation of an autologous pluripotent stem cell - a stem cell from an individual that has the potential to be used for a therapeutic purpose - without an embryo, is possible.

The fate of adult cells can be drastically converted by exposing mature cells to an external stress or injury. This finding has the potential to reduce the need to utilize both embryonic stem cells and DNA-manipulated iPS cells.

Multiple Sclerosis Linked to Higher Cancer Risk

A new nationwide cohort study from Taiwan suggested that patients with multiple sclerosis may have an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly breast cancer.

FDA Issues Safety Warning for Sodium Phosphate for Constipation

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning about possible harm from exceeding the recommended dose of over-the-counter (OTC) sodium phosphate products to treat constipation.

There have been reports of severe dehydration and changes in serum electrolyte levels from taking more than the recommended dose of OTC sodium phosphate products, resulting in serious adverse effects on organs, such as the kidneys and heart, and in some cases resulting in death.

Pfizer to assess Akili game as Alzheimer's biomarker

Pfizer is launching a clinical study to assess the potential of Akili Interactive Labs’ Project EVO gaming platform as a biomarker or cognitive endpoint for people at risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Akili is a US-based company developing mobile video games as potential therapeutics for neurological disorders or as tools for remote monitoring of core cognition.

The Akili platform is designed to quantify and improve the ability of individuals to deal with cognitive interference affecting their ability to pay attention, plan or make decisions. These deficits are common symptoms of a number of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, as well as psychiatric conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and depression.

Researchers discover potential drug targets for early onset glaucoma

Using a novel high-throughput screening process, scientists have for the first time identified molecules with the potential to block the accumulation of a toxic eye protein that can lead to early onset of glaucoma. Researchers have implicated a mutant form of a protein called myocilin as a possible root cause of this increased eye pressure. Mutant myocilin is toxic to the cells in the part of the eye that regulates pressure.

Eisai's amatuximab gets orphan status in Europe 

European regulators have assigned Eisai's amatuximab with an orphan drug designation (ODD) for the treatment of malignant mesothelioma.

Malignant mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos, affecting around 1 in 50,000 people per year in Europe.

Although there has been a dramatic decline in the use of asbestos since the mid-1970s, incidence of the difficult-to-treat condition is expected to rise.