Myopia cell discovered in retina
By www.sciencedaily.com
Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a cell in the retina that may cause myopia when it dysfunctions. The dysfunction may be linked to the amount of time a child spends indoors and away from natural light.
"This discovery could lead to a new therapeutic target to control myopia," said Greg Schwartz, lead investigator and assistant professor of ophthalmology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
More than a billion people in the world have myopia, whose incidence is rising and is linked to how much time people spend indoors as children.
The newly discovered retinal cell - which is highly sensitive to light - controls how the eye grows and develops. If the cell instructs the eye to grow too long, images fail to be focused on the retina, causing nearsighted vision and a lifetime of corrective glasses or contact lenses.
"The eye needs to stop growing at precisely the right time during childhood," Schwartz said.
It has long been long known the retina contains a signal to focus the image in the eye, and this signal is important for properly regulating eye growth during childhood.
"But for years no one knew what cell carried the signal," Schwartz said. "We potentially found the key missing link, which is the cell that actually does that task and the neural circuit that enables this important visual function."
Schwartz named the cell, "ON Delayed," in reference to its slow responses to lights becoming brighter. The cell was unique among many other cell types tested in its exquisite sensitivity to whether an image was in focus.
He described the neural circuit as the diagram that reveals how this cell is wired to other cells in the retina to acquire this unique sensitivity.
How too much time indoors may trigger myopia
The indoor light spectrum has high red/green contrast, which activates these clusters of photoreceptors in the human eye, creating the equivalent of an artificial contrast image on the retina. It's likely the human version of the ON Delayed retinal ganglion cell would be overstimulated by such patterns, causing aberrant over-growth of the eye, leading to myopia, Schwartz said.
The study will appear in the Feb. 20 print issue of Current Biology. It was published online Jan. 26.
To conduct the study, Schwartz and co-author Adam Mani, a postdoctoral fellow in ophthalmology at Feinberg, used microscopic glass electrodes to record electrical signals from cells in a mouse retina while presenting patterns of light on a digital projector.
The next goal is to find a gene specific to this cell. Then scientists can turn its activity up or down in a genetic mouse model to try to induce or cure myopia.
The study is part of Schwartz's larger body of research to reverse engineer the retina by identifying new retinal cell types in mice. The retina has about 50 types of retinal ganglion cells, which together convey all the information we use to perceive the visual world. Each of these cells provides different visual information - such as color or motion - about any point in space.
Schwartz, who is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), wants to identify the new cells by their specific function, analyze their genetic signatures and understand how the cells are interconnected within the retina and to their targets in the brain. His research could lead to gene therapy to treat blindness and to improve the function of artificial retinal prosthetics.
The article is titled "Circuit Mechanisms of a Retinal Ganglion Cell with Stimulus-Dependent Response Latency and Activation Beyond Its Dendrites."
Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170206150640.htm
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Lisinopril: Brand Name Medication Guide For Blood Pressure Management
Lisinopril is the brand name for lisinopril, a medication used in the management of conditions associated with blood pressure management. Brand name medications are pharmaceutical products marketed under a proprietary name by the company that originally developed them. Understanding the relationship between brand name and generic formulations, as well as the conditions for which the medication is approved, helps patients make informed choices about their treatment. Antihypertensive medications work through several different mechanisms, and many patients eventually require two or more drugs to achieve adequate blood pressure control. Major classes include ACE inhibitors and ARBs, which relax blood vessels by blocking the renin-angiotensin system; calcium channel blockers, which reduce arterial stiffness; beta-blockers, which slow the heart rate and reduce its workload; and diuretics, which reduce blood volume by increasing fluid excretion through the kidneys. The brand name Lisinopril has built a clinical track record through use in a wide range of patients and healthcare settings. Brand versions and their generic equivalents contain the same active ingredient at the same strength, but may differ in inactive ingredients such as fillers, binders, and coatings. In most cases, generic formulations are therapeutically equivalent and offer cost savings, though some patients prefer to stay on a specific formulation for consistency. When prescribed Lisinopril, patients should follow the guidance of their prescribing physician regarding dose, frequency, and duration of therapy. The medication should be stored as directed on the label, typically at room temperature away from heat and moisture. Any unused medication should not be disposed of by flushing down the drain unless the label specifically says to do so, as this can harm the environment. Comprehensive details on Lisinopril and other medications used for blood pressure management are available through https://mednewwsstoday.com/blood-pressure/. This resource provides evidence-based summaries to help patients and healthcare providers stay informed about treatment options in this therapeutic area.
Sunday, May 10, 2026
How Levitra Helps With Men
Dealing with men can take a real toll on daily life, affecting sleep, work performance, and overall well-being. While many people try to manage symptoms with lifestyle adjustments alone, medication often plays a central role in achieving meaningful relief, particularly when symptoms are moderate to severe or recurring. Allergy treatment has advanced considerably over the past several decades. Early antihistamines were effective but caused significant drowsiness. Modern second-generation antihistamines provide comparable or superior symptom control without the sedating side effects that limited their predecessors. Other treatment modalities include nasal corticosteroid sprays, which reduce airway inflammation, and allergen immunotherapy, which gradually desensitizes the immune system through controlled exposure to specific allergens over time. Healthcare professionals frequently discuss Levitra as a potential treatment for patients presenting with men. The data supporting levitra for men provides a useful resource for patients who want a thorough understanding of how this medication has been studied and what clinical experience suggests about its effectiveness. One of the practical considerations with Levitra is timing. Some patients find that taking the medication at a consistent time each day helps maintain stable effects. Food interactions, if any, should be noted since they can affect how well the active ingredient vardenafil is absorbed. Patients are encouraged to review the full prescribing information or consult a pharmacist for personalized guidance. Treatment of men does not always follow a one-size-fits-all approach. The https://mednewwsstoday.com/sexual-health/ section on sexual health covers the range of treatments that might complement or serve as alternatives to Levitra, helping patients and providers find the combination most suited to individual needs.
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Amoxicillin: The Generic Form Of Amoxil Explained
Amoxicillin is the generic name of the medication sold under the brand name Amoxil. Generic medications contain the same active ingredient at the same dose and strength as their brand name counterparts and must meet the same FDA standards for quality, purity, and bioequivalence. The development and approval of generic drugs play an important role in making effective treatments more accessible and affordable for patients. Responsible antibiotic use is essential to preserving the effectiveness of these important medications. Antibiotic resistance develops when bacteria evolve mechanisms to survive exposure to drugs that would normally kill or inhibit them. Completing a prescribed antibiotic course in full, even when symptoms improve, helps ensure that all bacteria are eliminated and reduces the chance of resistant strains surviving. Using antibiotics only when they are truly needed also helps limit the development and spread of resistance. The pharmacological action of amoxicillin is the basis for its use in treating conditions within the category of antibiotic treatments. Understanding the mechanism by which the active compound produces its therapeutic effects helps patients appreciate why the medication needs to be taken consistently and at the correct dose to achieve the best results. Switching between brand name and generic versions of a medication is generally considered safe when the products are bioequivalent, but patients should inform their doctor if they notice any differences in effect after a formulary change. Some patients with conditions requiring precise drug levels in the blood may be monitored more closely during transitions. For most patients, however, approved generics provide equivalent therapeutic benefit to the brand name product. The https://mednewwsstoday.com/antibiotics/ section on antibiotic treatments covers both brand name and generic treatment options, giving patients a complete picture of what is available. Cost, insurance coverage, and pharmacy availability are practical factors to discuss with a pharmacist when filling a prescription for amoxicillin.
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