A clinical trial funded by NIH found that PAXLOVID does not improve Long COVID symptoms, but its extended duration did not cause serious side effects. The study recruited 959 patients and monitored symptoms over six months.
As more Americans with HIV age into Medicare eligibility, costs are expected to increase substantially. The study projects nearly 200,000 beneficiaries by 2035 and $27.3 billion in annual spending. Policy changes like the Inflation Reduction Act could save billions, while generic HIV medications may further reduce costs.
Healthcare-associated transmission of Andes virus is uncommon but can occur when infection is not recognized early or protective measures are delayed, research suggests. Implementing transmission-based precautions at earliest stages of infection can prevent transmission in healthcare settings.
A new study suggests that functional brain imaging can help guide accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for depression, leading to improved symptoms and response rates. The approach uses resting-state functional connectivity analysis to identify individualized treatment targets.
A recent study published in Metabolism found that our internal clock independently affects the energy we burn after eating, peaking in the morning and decreasing at night. This discovery sheds light on why late eating may contribute to weight gain or struggles with weight loss.
A study found that 18% of college students used AI for mental health, with those having more severe symptoms and Asian students being more likely to do so. The use of AI may pose risks, such as undermining emotional regulation or perspective-taking.
Postoperative delirium is a strong predictor of long-term cognitive decline in older adults, according to a new study. Researchers found that delirium was associated with faster cognitive decline than mild cognitive impairment, and rehospitalizations did not explain the effect.
A new study reveals that over 75% of older adults have used complementary health approaches, including mindfulness, yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, and more. The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to discuss the risks and benefits of these therapies with their patients.
A study of 1,338 older adults found that longer, more frequent, and morning naps were associated with higher mortality rates. Excessive daytime napping was linked to increased risk of neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, and greater morbidity.
A multicenter study found that red blood cell exchange transfusion significantly improves clinical outcomes for patients hospitalized with severe babesiosis, a potentially life-threatening tick-borne infection. The procedure was associated with substantially lower risk of in-hospital death or readmission.
A recent study mapped brain injuries in individuals with acquired aphantasia and found that all cases were connected to the fusiform imagery node. This suggests a critical role for this region in maintaining visual imagination. The findings have implications for rehabilitation strategies and understanding of cognitive function.
A new clinical trial found that solriamfetol helped early morning shift workers with shift work disorder stay more alert and report better overall functioning. The study, published in NEJM Evidence, enrolled 78 early-morning shift workers and showed significant improvement in sleepiness and daily activities after four weeks of treatment.
Research reveals disparities in access to PrEP among young cisgender females and males, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve HIV prevention. The study analyzed data from over 7,000 visits to a Boston-based clinic, finding that only 17% of visits received PrEP for under-age females.
A single-dose oral cholera vaccine called PanChol has completed a phase 1 clinical trial with positive results, offering hope for combating the devastating disease globally. The vaccine was developed by Mass General Brigham and shows promise in preventing severe vomiting and diarrhea caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria.
A multi-center observational study found that households facing food insecurity and challenges like low social support had a significantly higher risk of long COVID. Healthy diets may protect against the risk, highlighting the need for addressing adverse social factors in disease prevention.
A subset of depressed individuals with chronic, low-grade inflammation may benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis. The study found that anti-inflammatory medications significantly reduced depressive symptom severity and anhedonia in these patients.
A study from the Ragon Institute of Mass General Brigham, MIT and Harvard found that immune cells called CD8+ T cells play a crucial role in controlling HIV. Researchers discovered that having these CD8+ T cell features before treatment was most important for achieving remission.
Researchers identified eight different long COVID trajectories, depending on severity and duration of symptoms, in a study of over 3,500 adult participants. The study found that 10.3% of patients had long COVID symptoms three months after infection, with 81% continuing to experience persistent or intermittent symptoms a year later.
A new study using next-generation imaging technology discovered that when the brain is falling asleep, it shows a coordinated shift in activity. Areas involved in thinking, memory, and daydreaming quiet down and use less energy during NREM sleep.
A study of 200 classrooms found that HEPA purifiers did not significantly reduce respiratory viral exposures, suggesting additional interventions are needed. Maintaining classroom humidity between 40% and 60% may help lower viral exposures and improve comfort for students and teachers.
Research by Mass General Brigham reveals association between witnessing neighborhood violence and insufficient sleep in adolescents, leading to increased violent behaviors such as carrying a weapon. The study analyzed data from over 40,000 teenagers, finding strong links between sleep loss and exposure to violence.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham identified seven metabolites in the blood associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), a condition linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The study also found that dietary changes or supplements may help reduce EDS risk.
A personalized approach to recommending CPAP machines for patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may decrease adverse cardiovascular events. However, CPAP use can also increase cardiovascular risk for those with low-risk OSA markers.
A nationwide study found that financial hardship, food insecurity, lack of healthcare access, and other social risk factors increase the risk of long COVID. The RECOVER-Adult cohort study analyzed 3,700 participants and found significant associations between individual-level social risk factors and increased risk of developing long COVID.
A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that an average of 21% of teen drivers engage in distracted driving, with many believing their peers drive distracted due to social norms. The study suggests encouraging strategies like 'Do Not Disturb' mode and ensuring teens get adequate sleep can mitigate this behavior.
A large-scale study found no association between medication use and the development of microscopic colitis, contradicting previous findings. SSRIs were linked to a slightly higher risk, but also increased the likelihood of receiving a colonoscopy.
A study of 7,944 ADHD patients found that telehealth-based relationships did not increase the risk of substance use disorder. However, patients aged 26 and above who received initial stimulant prescriptions during telehealth appointments were at higher risk.
A new study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham found that more than half of sleep sessions end in a snooze alarm, with users spending an average of 11 minutes on the device. Snooze usage varied by day of the week and was lower among those sleeping five or fewer hours.
Researchers identified risk factors for sudden unusual mental or somatic experiences, including past psychedelic use, reality distorting practices, and extensive spiritual practice. These findings can help clinicians diagnose and treat associated suffering, and inform the development of practical guidelines.
Researchers found that immune system influences stress and fear behaviors by changing how brain cells communicate, but treatment with psychedelics can target these interactions and reduce stress-induced fear. The study suggests that psychedelics could reshape treatment for inflammatory disorders like anxiety and depression.
The study directly compared Droplet-based scRNA (D-scRNA) and Picowell-based scRNA (P-scRNA) platforms for analyzing human mucosal biopsies. D-scRNA provides more detailed insights, but requires resources and may introduce contamination. P-scRNA is gentler, more resource-efficient, but less effective in capturing rare cell types.
A two-week in-patient study found that eating during the day but not at night reduced cardiovascular risk factors in healthy young participants after simulated night work. This finding supports adjusting food timing to mitigate health risks associated with shift work.
A study estimated that healthcare travel generates approximately 35.7 megatons of CO2e annually in the US, accounting for about 6% of national healthcare-related emissions. The study found that patient travel in rural areas resulted in higher emissions per trip compared to urban areas
A team of researchers has identified a common brain network that generalized seizures hijack, which is located in the region where deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes are placed. This finding could help explain why DBS is effective in alleviating generalized seizures and potentially improve treatment outcomes.
A randomized trial found that adenotonsillectomy surgery reduced healthcare utilization in children with mild sleep-disordered breathing by 32% fewer doctor visits and 48% fewer prescriptions. This effective early intervention supports reducing behavioral, neurocognitive, cardiovascular, and cardiometabolic issues.
A new Mass General Brigham study explores the connection between the Doomsday Clock and mortality and mental health in the United States, finding higher rates of Alzheimer's disease, suicide, and substance-related disorders at closer clock settings. The study suggests a potential bridge between global events and individual well-being.
Researchers developed the Boston Mattress Satisfaction Questionnaire (BMSQ) to rigorously assess mattress satisfaction and characteristics. The study found that most people reported being somewhat satisfied with their current mattresses, with an average score of 6.9 out of 10.
A study of 350 patients found that taking semaglutide before bariatric surgery did not increase total weight loss and had similar health outcomes to surgery alone. Researchers suggest a surgery-first strategy may lead to better obesity treatment outcomes.
Researchers developed a frailty index using electronic health record data from over 500,000 patients, identifying those at high risk of adverse health outcomes. The tool classifies patients as robust, pre-frail, frail or very frail based on age-related health deficits.
Researchers found that teens with obesity consumed more calories in the late afternoon and early evening compared to their peers of healthy weight. The study, published in PNAS, demonstrates that the body's biological clock directly impacts food intake throughout the day.
A new study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham suggests that different brain regions activated by creative tasks are part of one common brain circuit. People with brain injuries or neurodegenerative diseases may have increased creativity due to changes in this circuit.
Studies identified 153 cases of psychosis caused by brain lesions, which connected to a common circuit in the hippocampus. The circuit, including the rostromedial prefrontal cortex, is a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, potentially improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
A new study by Mass General Brigham investigators found that Black people were less likely than non-Black people to undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery, even though both groups were equally likely to discuss it with health care providers. Men were also less likely to discuss and receive MBS than women.
A study published in PNAS found that short-term timing patterns of past brain activity are the primary determinant of sleep spindle timing, accounting for over 70% of its variability. These individualized patterns change with age and provide a new target for understanding how sleep supports memory.
A study found that males spend approximately 52% more time in bright light than females, with this difference beginning in childhood and widening during adulthood. The average first daily timing for bright light exposure was also later for females.
A new study explores whether CBD can reduce scan-related anxiety in advanced breast cancer patients, finding it was safe but did not significantly change anxiety levels. However, participants who consumed CBD experienced lower anxiety levels after treatment.
A new study has identified a specific connectivity pattern of brain atrophy in schizophrenia, distinct from brain networks associated with other psychiatric disorders. The findings suggest that this network may be a core characteristic of schizophrenia and could inform treatment plans.
Brigham researchers found that intestinal infections alter bile composition to promote intestinal defense, highlighting the liver's role in defending against infection. The study identified hundreds of new bile metabolites and revealed a shift in bile function during enteric infection.
Researchers used fitness tracker data and machine learning to detect bipolar disorder mood swings with 80.1% accuracy for depression and 89.1% accuracy for mania. The study's findings move the field toward personalized algorithms suitable for all patients, regardless of compliance or device access.
A study found that maternal immune activity during pregnancy affects offspring's long-term memory circuitry and function in childhood and midlife. Elevated levels of IL-6 and TNF-a in mothers were linked to adverse brain activity in memory circuitry, particularly in postmenopausal women.