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Mass General Brigham


Research spotlight: Revolutionizing early detection of heterotopic ossification

A new study successfully detected heterotopic ossification (HO) weeks before current imaging techniques, enabling early intervention and potentially transforming HO prevention and treatment. The liquid biopsy method identified a unique gene signature associated with bone formation, achieving high accuracy in predicting at-risk patients.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 3, 2026

Women’s risk of major cardiac events emerges at lower coronary plaque burden compared to men

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 4,300 stable outpatients with chest pain and found that women experienced similar rates of MACE as men despite having smaller plaque volumes. The study suggests incorporating sex into the interpretation of coronary plaque metrics may help advance tailored approaches to cardiac risk stratification.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCirculation·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 23, 2026

Targeted radiation therapy improves quality of life outcomes for patients with multiple brain metastases

A Phase 3 trial found stereotactic radiation targeting individual tumors improved symptom burden, cognitive outcomes, and daily function compared to whole brain radiation. Patients managed with stereotactic radiation also displayed better performance status and could remain more independent with everyday activities.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 19, 2026

Study shows low-field MRI is feasible for breast screening

Researchers at Mass General Brigham have demonstrated the technical feasibility of using ultra-low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for breast imaging, offering an alternative to existing methods and potentially reducing barriers to screening. Further study is needed to establish diagnostic performance and refine technology.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 19, 2026

Proton therapy leads to positive survival and quality of life outcomes for patients with lower grade glioma

A new study by Mass General Brigham highlights the efficacy of proton therapy in achieving excellent tumor control rates while minimizing side effects compared to traditional radiotherapy. Proton therapy limits radiation exposure to healthy tissue, potentially preserving cognition and hormone function.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNeuro-Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 11, 2026

Personalized palliative care shows signs of improving quality of life for children with advanced cancer

A Mass General Brigham-led study found that integrating feedback and personalized palliative care can improve the quality of life for children with advanced cancer. The study showed significant improvements in symptoms and well-being for patients who received the intervention, highlighting the potential benefits of early palliative care.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateFeb 4, 2026

For people with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers, recovery of basic communication is an “acceptable” outcome

A study by Mass General Brigham found that individuals with traumatic brain injury and their caregivers consider recovery of basic communication an 'acceptable' outcome, challenging traditional assumptions about what constitutes a 'favorable' recovery. The study highlights the need for person-centered approaches to TBI outcome research.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalCritical Care Medicine·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 3, 2026

Research spotlight: Discovering risk factors for long-term relapse in alcohol use disorder

Research identifies reduction in recovery focus as most prevalent and potent contributor to long-term relapse, emphasizing the importance of ongoing monitoring and proactive interventions. The study highlights the need for integrated biopsychosocial disease-management models to address complex relapse risk factors.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·TypeSystematic review·DateJan 29, 2026

Research Spotlight: a new “lab-on-a-disc” device paves the way for more automated liquid biopsies

Researchers developed an innovative centrifugal system called SpinEx that separates plasma, enriches EVs, and labels proteins in one device. The technology enables fast and automated EV isolation from small blood volumes, accurately distinguishing cancer from non-cancer samples and identifying specific tumor types.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJan 28, 2026

Parental firearm injury linked to increased mental health burden in children

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that children whose parents were injured by firearms experience substantial mental health impacts, with a 42% increase in psychiatric diagnoses and 60% increase in mental health visits. Early, targeted interventions are needed to address this growing need.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 28, 2026

Insights from brain’s waste-flushing system may improve diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Researchers used MRI analysis to measure glymphatic system activity, finding changes related to IIH stage and pressure levels. The findings suggest a noninvasive test could diagnose IIH more reliably, improving treatment options for patients with symptoms including headaches and vision loss.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJournal of Neuro-Ophthalmology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 27, 2026

Patients struggle to measure blood pressure at home

A study found that one-third of patients in an at-home hypertension management program could not complete weekly readings, highlighting the need for more convenient and less burdensome monitoring tools. The researchers suggest innovative wearable devices that can passively collect blood pressure readings to reduce patient burden.

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA Cardiology·TypeObservational study·DateJan 21, 2026

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