Time-released steroids offer a new way to treat AMD

A collaboration between researchers at Wayne State University, the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine resulted in the discovery that dry age-related macular degeneration could be treated by  attaching steroids to nanoparticles called dendrimers. These steroids are delivered directly to the retina where they are delivered in a sustained-release manner and only target the cells that cause neuroinflammation and leave the rest of the eye alone. The study which was published in the journal Biomaterials was conducted using rats and the results showed that one intravitreal injection of the nanoparticles offered neuroprotection for one month. Not only did the treatment reduce neuroinflammation in the rats but it also protected their vision by keeping the photoreceptors in the retina from being injured. The treatment would benefit both dry age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Researchers acknowledge that the protection provided by the steroid is only temporary but that overall treatment provides sustained relief from neuroinflammation.*