Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Mass General Brigham


Autonomous AI agents developed to detect early signs of cognitive decline

Developed by Mass General Brigham researchers, the autonomous AI system achieves high accuracy in detecting cognitive impairment using routine clinical documentation. The system includes five specialized agents that critique each other and refine their reasoning, just like clinicians would in a case conference.

SourceMass General Brigham·Journalnpj Digital Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 15, 2026

Clinical trial in Ethiopia targets the trachoma scourge

A large-scale field trial in Ethiopia found no significant difference between fluorometholone and placebo treatments in reducing postoperative trachomatous trichiasis recurrence. The study, which involved over 2,400 participants, suggests that anti-inflammatory therapy may not be beneficial for improving TT surgery outcomes.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe Lancet Global Health·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 12, 2026

Researchers uncover how tumors become resistant to promising p53-targeted therapy

A Mass General Brigham study identifies new mutations that emerge in tumor cells following treatment, driving resistance in patients with different types of cancer. The researchers found two main categories of mutations: those impairing p53 function and others disrupting drug binding, highlighting a path forward for overcoming resistance.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCancer Discovery·TypeObservational study·DateJan 12, 2026

Study finds more than a quarter of adults worldwide could benefit from GLP-1 medications for weight loss

A new study found that more than one-in-four adults worldwide may be eligible for GLP-1 use, with women and older individuals among the most eligible. The research emphasizes the need to prioritize global access to these medications, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where obesity rates are highest.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe Lancet·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 8, 2026

Researchers search for why some people’s gut microbes produce high alcohol levels

A study published in Nature Microbiology identified specific gut microbes and metabolic pathways responsible for producing high levels of alcohol in patients with auto-brewery syndrome. The researchers found that stool samples from patients produced significantly more ethanol than those from unaffected individuals or healthy controls, ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateJan 8, 2026

Adverse prenatal exposures linked to higher rates of mental health issues, brain changes in adolescents

Children with adverse prenatal exposures showed higher rates of behavior problems, faster cortical thinning, and more depressive symptoms than children with fewer APEs. Researchers found a persistent association between multiple APEs and increased odds of mental health problems as kids grew older.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 7, 2026

Signature patterns of brain activity may help predict recovery from traumatic brain injury

Researchers found that early communication between three pairs of brain regions is associated with favorable six-month functional outcomes. The study identified signature patterns in resting-state functional MRI data that can strengthen standard prognostic methods for assessing outcomes after moderate-to-severe brain injury.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateDec 22, 2025

Genes aren’t destiny for inherited blindness, study shows

A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that genetic variants thought to always cause inherited blindness occur in only 28% of people who carry them. The findings challenge traditional models of rare disease genetics, suggesting a need for updated understanding and potentially impacting the development of new treatments.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 22, 2025

Stress-related brain signals drive risk of cardiovascular disease in people with depression and anxiety

A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that patients with depression are at higher risk of cardiovascular disease due to stress-related brain activity, nervous system dysregulation, and chronic inflammation. The study also suggests that addressing chronic stress, anxiety, or depression is crucial for heart health.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCirculation·TypeObservational study·DateDec 17, 2025

Large-scale study provides real-world data on rare side effect of cancer immunotherapy

A large-scale study identified risk factors and clinical features of ICI-ITP, a rare but serious complication of anti-cancer immunotherapy. The study found that patients with ICI-ITP tend to have lower platelet counts at the start of treatment, experience additional immune-related adverse events, and have a higher risk of death.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalBlood·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2025

Clinical trial finds cannabis use not a barrier to quitting nicotine vaping

A new clinical trial found that varenicline, a medication for quitting nicotine, was effective in vaping cessation regardless of cannabis use. Cannabis use did not appear to be a barrier to successful vaping cessation, and participants who used cannabis had similar odds of achieving abstinence as those who did not.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 12, 2025

Research spotlight: How long-acting injectable treatment could transform care for postpartum women with HIV

A new study explores the potential of long-acting injectable treatments for HIV-positive breastfeeding women, finding that they can prevent up to 160 infant infections per year. The research suggests that these formulations could be cost-effective and widely available globally to reach those who need them most.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalThe Journal of Infectious Diseases·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 4, 2025

Long-term benefits of daily multivitamin use may vary by diet quality and baseline blood pressure

A daily multivitamin may be beneficial for reducing the risk of hypertension in people with poorer nutritional intake. Multivitamins lowered risk of hypertension in participants with comparatively lower diet quality, as measured by Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED) scores.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAmerican Journal of Hypertension·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 3, 2025

Increased use of cannabis seen among adolescents with psychiatric illnesses after cannabis sales became legal

After cannabis sales became legal, rates of cannabis use and cannabis-related disorders increased significantly among adolescents aged 12 to 17 presenting for psychiatric emergencies. The study found a fourfold increase in cannabis use and a similar rise in cannabis-related disorders among this age group.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine·TypeContent analysis·DateDec 3, 2025

Research spotlight: how long-acting injectable treatment could transform care for postpartum women with HIV

A new study suggests that long-acting injectable treatment can prevent up to 160 infant infections per year in Zimbabwe. The treatment, LA cabotegravir with rilpivirine, could be cost-effective if priced at $156/year or lower for women whose HIV has not been fully suppressed at delivery.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Infectious Diseases·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateDec 1, 2025

Drug developed for inherited bleeding disorder shows promising trial results

A new study found that engasertib reduced nosebleed frequency and duration in patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), a rare inherited bleeding disorder. The trial also showed improved symptoms and safety profile for the drug, paving the way for its potential use as a treatment option.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 26, 2025

Those with positive experiences or conflicts of interest dominate FDA drug advisory meetings

A study found that 43% of public speakers at FDA advisory committee meetings report a conflict of interest, leading to biased opinions on drug approval. Patients and family members with personal experience using the drug supported approval in most cases, while public health advocates were more likely to oppose it.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 24, 2025

Hybrid ambient documentation decreases after-hours work, note delays for physicians

A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that combining generative AI with ambient documentation technologies significantly reduced after-hours work and note delays. The hybrid program, which included a virtual scribe, showed a 41% decrease in after-hours work and a 66% decline in documentation delays.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of General Internal Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 23, 2025

Study reveals long-term associations of strangulation-related brain injury from intimate partner violence

A federally funded study by Mass General Brigham investigators found that self-reported vision problems and traumatic stress are experienced years after strangulation in women who have experienced intimate partner violence. The study identified three major subgroups: strangulation alone, altered consciousness, and full loss of consciou...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Neurotrauma·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 20, 2025

Study finds longer, more consistent addiction medication use among youth sharply lowers risk of overdose, hospitalization

Adolescents and young adults who stayed on medication for at least a year had lower risks of opioid overdose and hospitalization compared to those who discontinued early or took it inconsistently. Consistent, year-long use likely provides the greatest protection against overdose and other serious outcomes.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalPEDIATRICS·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 18, 2025

Study finds adults who consumed more ultra-processed foods had higher rates of precursors of early-onset colorectal cancer

A study of nearly 30,000 female nurses found that consuming more ultra-processed foods was associated with a 45% higher risk of developing adenomas, precursors to early-onset colorectal cancer. The study's findings support the importance of reducing ultra-processed food intake as a strategy to mitigate the rising burden of early-onset ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeObservational study·DateNov 13, 2025

Mass General Brigham researchers find PCSK9 inhibitor reduced risk of first heart attack, stroke

In a clinical trial of 12,257 patients at high risk, investigators found that adding the drug evolocumab to a patient’s treatment reduced the risk of a first heart attack, first stroke, or coronary heart disease death by 25%. The study also showed a 36% reduction in heart attacks and a nominally lower rate of death in the evolocumab arm.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateNov 8, 2025

Research Spotlight: State-of-the-art 7 Tesla MRI reveals how the human brain anticipates and regulates the body’s needs

Researchers used high-resolution imaging to map brain regions involved in regulating body's energy needs and sensing internal conditions. The study replicated previous findings and expanded upon them, confirming connections between brain areas that help manage the body's needs and sense what's happening inside.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Neuroscience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 6, 2025

New study shows people with spinal cord injuries are more likely to develop chronic disorders

A new study by Mass General Brigham reveals that patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries are at a higher risk of developing chronic health problems, including hypertension, stroke, depression, and diabetes. The study highlights the need for proactive and multidisciplinary long-term care strategies to address these issues.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeObservational study·DateNov 4, 2025

Mass General Brigham researchers harness tumor cells to boost antitumor immunity in preclinical cancer models

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a strategy to promote antitumor immunity by inducing cancer cells to produce an immune-activating molecule. This approach was shown to reduce tumor growth and improve survival in mouse models of aggressive melanoma, with potential applications beyond cancer therapies.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2025

Even modest amounts of physical activity may slow Alzheimer’s disease among at-risk older adults

A new study published in Nature Medicine found that increasing daily steps by even a little can help slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Cognitive decline was delayed by three years for people who walked 3,000-5,000 steps per day, and by seven years for those who walked 5,000-7,500 steps per day.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateNov 3, 2025