Published: March. 15, 2013 at 1:51 AM NEW HAVEN, Conn., March 15 (UPI) -- Prescribing drugs to boost memory and thinking abilities in healthy children and teens to study is misguided, U.S. researchers say. Study author Dr. William Graf of Yale University in New Haven, Conn., said some parents request doctors to prescribe attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder drugs for their children who don't meet the criteria for ADHD, to help them study for tests. "Doctors caring for children and teens have a professional obligation to always protect the best interests of the child, to protect vulnerable populations, and prevent the misuse of medication," Graf said in a statement. "The practice of prescribing these drugs, called neuroenhancements, for healthy students is not justifiable." The American Academy of Neurology released a position paper that provided evidence to dozens of ethical, legal, social and developmental reasons why prescribing mind-enhancing drugs, such as those for ADHD, for healthy people is viewed differently in children and adolescents than it would be in functional, independent adults with full decision-making capacities. The article noted many reasons against prescribing these drugs including: the child's best interest; the long-term health and safety of neuroenhancements, which has not been studied in … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON A group of new diabetes drugs is under investigation because it may increase the risk of pancreatic problems, including pancreatitis and cancer. The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday samples of pancreas tissue taken from a small number of patients showed inflammation and cellular changes that often precede cancer. Academic researchers took the samples from diabetes patients who were taking the new medications, after they died from various causes. Details of the research have not yet been published, but the agency said in an online statement it is seeking more information. While the FDA has issued previous alerts about the pancreatitis risk, the agency had not notified the public about pre-cancerous cell changes seen with the drugs. For now, regulators say they are still investigating the issue. "FDA has not concluded these drugs may cause or contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer," the agency said in an online statement. "At this time, patients should continue to take their medicine as directed until they talk to their health care professional." 6 Photos The drugs under review come from a wave of recently approved diabetes medications, including Merck's Januvia and Janumet, Novo Nordisk's Victoza and Bristol-Myers Squibb's Byetta and Bydureon, … Continue reading →