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Brown University


Study suggests shingles vaccine may lower dementia risk

A study led by Brown University researchers found that older adults who received the shingles vaccine had a 24% lower risk of being diagnosed with dementia within four years. The study analyzed health records and Medicare data from over 500,000 adults age 66 and older who were admitted to skilled nursing facilities.

SourceBrown University·JournalAnnals of Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateJun 16, 2026

Could violence prevention programs decrease tobacco use among teens? Yes, research suggests

A study by Brown University researchers found that exposure to violence is strongly associated with increased tobacco and e-cigarette use among adolescents. The study analyzed data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and found that each form of violence exposure was linked to increased risk of using both substances.

SourceBrown University·JournalSubstance Use & Misuse·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 29, 2026

Alzheimer’s drug analysis may lead to misinterpretations of drug's effects, study finds

A new statistical approach used in Alzheimer's disease trials may exaggerate the link between amyloid reduction and cognitive benefits of new drugs. Researchers found that combining large groups of patients can hide variability and make it appear as if reducing amyloid is more predictive of cognitive benefit than it actually is.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Neurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2026

Study finds payments to Medicare Advantage brokers potentially reached $10 billion annually

Researchers at Brown University found that payments to Medicare Advantage brokers more than doubled between 2014 and 2022, rising from $3.9 billion to roughly $10 billion a year. The study also revealed that broker involvement is common and growing, with 70% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries generating renewal commissions.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 18, 2026

Tiny worms, with help from Brown University researchers, may hold key to treating rare childhood disease

A new worm model developed by Brown University researchers could play a key role in treating alternating hemiplegia of childhood, a disorder that causes paralysis in children. The genetically engineered C. elegans nematode model provides a fast and inexpensive way to evaluate potential drug treatments for AHC.

SourceBrown University·JournalDisease Models & Mechanisms·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2026

Minor federal fines offer little deterrence to insurers for Medicare Advantage violations, study finds

Researchers analyzed 13 years of federal data on Medicare Advantage enforcement actions, finding that CMS rarely used severe tools like contract terminations or suspensions. Instead, they relied on small fines, which may do little to change behavior and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.

SourceBrown University·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 4, 2026

New research shows how to diagnose people with Alzheimer’s plus a hard-to-identify dementia type

Researchers found that patients with both conditions exhibited different neuropsychiatric symptoms, which could inform diagnosis and treatment plans. The study's findings may help clinicians better understand the complex disease course of patients with multiple disorders, including Alzheimer's and frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

SourceBrown University·JournalNeurology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 16, 2026

Study: Electrical stimulation can restore ability to move limbs, receive sensory feedback after spinal cord injury

Researchers at Brown University have made significant progress in restoring two-way communication across a damaged spinal cord site. Electrical stimulation below the injury site partially restored muscle control in lower extremities, while stimulation above the injury enabled participants to understand their leg position in space. This...

SourceBrown University·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateMar 11, 2026

Mindfulness practices found to significantly reduce depression symptoms, especially for those with early-life adversity

A new study found that mindfulness practices can significantly reduce depression symptoms in people who have experienced early-life adversity. The study, led by Eric Loucks, found that participants in the Mindfulness-Based Blood Pressure Reduction Program showed significant improvements in depression symptoms compared to those in an en...

SourceBrown University·JournalHealth Psychology·DateFeb 18, 2026