A new study reveals that Parkinson's disease costs Europe €22.8 billion annually, with direct medical and non-medical costs, informal care, and lost productivity contributing to the total burden. The condition's prevalence in Europe has nearly doubled since 1990, with Germany recording the highest national costs at €5.7 billion.
A new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease estimates that dementia-related costs across 30 high-income European countries total €221 billion annually. Family caregivers carry a significant portion of this burden, providing an estimated €128 billion in unpaid care.
Research suggests exposure to extreme heat and cold increases risk of emergency department visits among people with dementia. Extreme temperatures accelerate health events that would otherwise occur later, potentially leading to increased healthcare demand.
A simple bedside eye test may predict recovery of consciousness in patients with severe brain injuries, according to new research. The late light-off response (LOR) phase of the pupil response predicted improvements in consciousness seven days later.
A new study finds that multiple sclerosis has a substantial impact on social life and work, with 51% of people reporting an effect. The study highlights the need for comprehensive care addressing not only physical health but also daily functioning, employment, and overall wellbeing.
Research presented at the European Academy of Neurology Congress 2026 found that women with Parkinson's disease had significantly greater amyloid plaque burden and neuritic plaque density compared to men. The study suggests that women may be more susceptible to Alzheimer's-related changes in the brain.
Adults with both epilepsy and hearing loss who use hearing aids have a 23% lower risk of developing dementia. The association was observed consistently across all analyses, suggesting that correcting hearing impairment may have a greater impact on dementia risk in people with reduced cognitive reserve.
Research finds different underlying factors driving growth in people living with Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and motor neuron disease. Improvements in treatment and care contribute to increased life expectancy for MS and MND patients.
The Phase III FIND-CKD trial found that finerenone significantly slowed kidney function decline and reduced the risk of cardiovascular-kidney outcomes in adults with non-diabetic chronic kidney disease. Finerenone also demonstrated a consistent effect across prespecified subgroups, supporting its broad applicability in these patients.
A new study found that dihydropyridine calcium-channel blockers (DCCBs) may be associated with poorer kidney outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes, even among those receiving modern kidney-protective treatments. DCCBs were linked to a higher risk of major adverse kidney events.
The FLOW trial shows that semaglutide significantly improved health-related quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease. Health utility scores and self-rated general health scores improved with semaglutide, but declined with placebo.
A comparative study found that endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is associated with significantly greater short-term weight loss than oral semaglutide. Patients undergoing ESG achieved a mean total body weight loss of 12.7%, compared to 8.7% in those receiving semaglutide.
A new study found that stroke incidence is rising again, with higher rates in Black African and Black Caribbean populations, as well as those experiencing socioeconomic deprivation. The study highlights the need for targeted interventions to prevent strokes and address systemic inequalities.
A new study suggests that both very low and very high resting heart rates are associated with an increased risk of stroke. The research found a U-shaped pattern, with stroke risk lowest at heart rates of 60-69 bpm and highest at below 50 bpm or above 90 bpm.
A major multi-country study found that WHO-recommended first-line antibiotics for neonatal sepsis are effective in only one quarter of infections in low- and middle-income countries. High levels of antimicrobial resistance were observed, making it challenging to identify consistently effective empirical antibiotic regimens.
A study analyzing meconium samples from newborns found high prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes, including those linked to carbapenem resistance. The findings suggest that maternal transmissions and early hospital exposure contribute to the establishment of these genes in the neonatal gut.
Researchers found that antiretroviral therapy reduces accelerated biological ageing in people with HIV by nearly four years. The plasma proteomic ageing clock tool estimated biological age and showed a statistically significant mean reduction of 3.7 years.
A landmark trial presented at ESCMID Global 2026 finds that improving oral hygiene for hospital patients reduces the risk of non-ventilator-associated hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) by 60%. The study, involving over 8,000 patients, shows a substantial improvement in oral care practices among hospital patients.
A new study found that influenza was detected in 11% of winter deaths, but only 17% had a confirmed diagnosis before death. The study highlights the gap between detection and official mortality records, suggesting influenza may play a larger role in winter mortality than routine surveillance captures.
A growing number of patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists may experience altered FDG uptake patterns on oncological PET-CT scans, potentially leading to misdiagnosis. Researchers recommend documenting medication histories to inform interpretation and developing national guidance.
Researchers found microplastic exposure changes the human gut microbiome, with some shifts resembling patterns linked to diseases. Microplastic-induced changes in microbial composition may serve as a bacterial stress response, potentially affecting overall well-being.
A new study reveals that both sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and low- or non-sugar-sweetened beverages (LNSSBs) are significantly associated with a higher risk of developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Replacing either beverage with water significantly reduces MASLD risk.
Research presents evidence suggesting that metabolically active visceral fat is associated with more advanced stages of endometrial cancer and lymph node metastases. The study found no strong correlation between visceral fat volume and its metabolic activity.
New research reveals that menopause may significantly influence how multiple sclerosis first presents in women, with distinct differences in symptom patterns and associated health conditions. The analysis found that postmenopausal women experienced more frequent cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
New research links higher intake of ultra-processed foods to more frequent relapses and greater MRI-detected lesion activity in early multiple sclerosis. Researchers found that increased consumption was associated with disrupted gut barrier function, immune activation, and cellular energy production problems.
A multi-registry study found ocrelizumab superior to other treatments in reducing MS relapse rates. Ocrelizumab outperformed fingolimod, natalizumab, and alemtuzumab in controlling multiple sclerosis relapses.
A recent study has found that people with psoriasis are at a significantly higher risk of developing AMD, including both exudative and non-exudative forms. The study suggests that biologic therapies may offer protective benefits for individuals with psoriasis.
New research finds that GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) significantly reduce the risk of death and major cardiovascular events in psoriasis patients. GLP-1RAs also show promise in reducing alcohol and substance abuse, with a 65% lower risk of alcohol abuse.
A new study reveals that adults with atopic eczema are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts, with factors such as age of onset, obesity, and clinical features strongly associated with increased risk. The study highlights the need for healthcare professionals to better recognize and address these challenges.
A new study reveals persistent inequalities in children's access to life-saving kidney transplants across the UK. Early disparities in ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender persist even after being placed on the waitlist.
A pioneering study has provided unprecedented insights into the immune response following pig-to-human kidney xenotransplantation. Researchers mapped how human immune cells interact with pig kidney tissue, revealing critical early markers of rejection and potential intervention strategies.
A team of international scientists successfully 3D printed functional human islets using a novel bioink, paving the way for more effective and less invasive treatment options. The bioprinted constructs maintained their structure without clumping or breaking down and showed promising results in laboratory tests.
A new study has found that a simple blood test can predict cognitive decline in Alzheimer's patients, identifying insulin resistance as a key risk factor. The research used the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index to analyze 315 non-diabetic patients with cognitive deficits, finding those with high TyG levels deteriorated rapidly.
Research found that certain heart rate variability patterns can predict future health conditions, including stroke, depression, and cognitive dysfunction. The study suggests that nocturnal HRV provides a unique window into how the body functions during sleep.
A diabetes medication that lowers brain fluid pressure has been shown to reduce monthly migraine days by an average of 11. Disability scores also improved significantly, indicating a clinically meaningful improvement in work and social functioning. The study suggests that pressure modulation may drive the benefit, rather than weight loss.
The CONFIDENCE trial demonstrates that combination therapy with finerenone and empagliflozin leads to significantly greater reductions in albuminuria than either agent alone. The study shows a 52% median reduction in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio, achieving the ADA-recommended target for 70% of patients.
Long-term data from the Phase 1/2 study of zigakibart demonstrate sustained proteinuria remission, stable kidney function, and a reassuring safety profile in patients with IgA nephropathy. The treatment also led to reductions in serum immunoglobulins, consistent with APRIL pathway inhibition.
A major international study found that deceased-donor kidney transplantation offers a consistent survival advantage with standard-criteria kidneys, but the benefit plateaus in older and high-risk recipients. The study used a robust target trial emulation framework to compare long-term survival between transplant patients and those on d...
A new study has found that combined oral contraceptives are associated with a threefold increase in the risk of cryptogenic ischaemic stroke (CIS) in young women. CIS accounts for up to 40% of all ischaemic strokes in young adults, and prior studies have linked hormonal contraception to vascular risk.
A pioneering study demonstrated that an AI-powered lung ultrasound surpasses human experts by 9% in diagnosing pulmonary tuberculosis. The technology leverages deep learning algorithms to interpret lung ultrasound images in real-time, making it more accessible for TB triage, especially for minimally trained healthcare workers.
A new breath test has been developed to diagnose and monitor bacterial infections. The test is non-invasive and can detect various types of bacteria, making it a promising tool for early detection and treatment.
A landmark study found that over 3 million children worldwide lost their lives in 2022 due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related infections. The study data also revealed a sharp rise in the use of Watch and Reserve antibiotics, posing serious long-term risks.
Researchers found that Schistosoma haematobium parasitic infection triggers cancer-related gene activity in cervical lining, with treatment causing further changes. This study sheds light on how the parasite may contribute to cervical cancer risk at a molecular level.
A pioneering study has identified interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a powerful diagnostic biomarker for the early detection of sepsis in high-risk patient groups. IL-6 outperformed traditional biomarkers in distinguishing bacterial from non-bacterial infections and stratifying sepsis severity.
A major Danish nationwide cohort study found that adults with respiratory syncytial virus-associated acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI) experience significantly worse health outcomes, including a 2.7-fold higher risk of death within one year compared to the general population. RSV-ARI also leads to exacerbations of COPD and asthma, ...
A novel nanoparticle therapy targets fat absorption in the small intestine, showing significant potential to prevent diet-induced obesity. The treatment involves inhibiting an enzyme called Sterol O-acyltransferase 2 (SOAT2), which plays a critical role in fat absorption.
A new treatment strategy combining ReCET and semaglutide has been shown to eliminate insulin therapy in 86% of type 2 diabetes patients, improving sensitivity to endogenous insulin. The novel procedure, which employs electroporation, is compliance-free and disease-modifying, addressing ongoing patient adherence issues.
A new study reveals how chronic stress disrupts the balance of gut microbiota to speed up the progression of colorectal cancer. The research identified a particular bacterial species as a potential therapeutic target, specifically Lactobacillus genus, which is essential for a healthy immune response against cancer.
Researchers have provided compelling evidence that perceived stress can directly trigger the relapse of psoriatic skin lesions. The study used a humanized mouse model to show that sonic stress led to a relapse in all psoriasis lesions within 14 days, accompanied by increased inflammation and immune activation.
Researchers have identified key molecular targets that could significantly enhance the healing of both acute and chronic wounds. The study found that combinatorial therapy involving FGF7 and an MMP10-neutralising antibody can improve wound healing in both acute and chronic wounds.