A survey of over 1,000 US adults examined perceptions of four neurotechnologies: deep brain stimulation, MRI-guided focused ultrasound, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and pills. Pills were rated as the most beneficial, acceptable, and likely to be used, while DBS was seen as the second most beneficial but also the riskiest.
Researchers developed a gene therapy that can target the airway and lungs using a nasal spray, outperforming previous versions in preclinical models. The innovative tool, AAV.CPP.16, showed promise for treating respiratory diseases like pulmonary fibrosis and viral infections.
Researchers found that vitamin D supplementation helps maintain telomeres, protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten during aging. This suggests a promising role in slowing a pathway for biological aging and preventing age-related diseases.
A new liquid biopsy blood test called HPV-DeepSeek achieved 99% sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing cancer in asymptomatic patients. The test detected fragments of the viral genome and other features in the blood, outperforming current methods in detecting HPV-associated head and neck cancers.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham have identified a key predictor of stroke risk among women: brain health scores. Women with higher McCance Brain Care Scores (BCS) had a reduced risk of experiencing a cerebrovascular event, with those with a five-point higher baseline score being 37% less likely to experience an event.
Researchers developed a machine learning model to evaluate patients' PPD risk using readily accessible clinical and demographic factors. The model showed promise in predicting PPD, with nearly 30% of those predicted to be high-risk developing PPD within six months after delivery.
A study published in JAMA Health Forum found that patients with female primary care physicians had better diabetes control, more eye exams, and fewer emergency department visits. Women PCPs also earned more than their male colleagues through value-based payment, possibly due to their patients having lower healthcare utilization.
A study by Mass General Brigham found that patients with glioblastoma who received gabapentin lived longer than those who didn't. The medication was shown to confer a four-month survival benefit, with patients on gabapentin surviving an average of 16 months compared to 12 months for those without the drug.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have pinpointed a 'sweet spot' for focused ultrasound treatment to provide significant relief from essential tremor. The study identified a specific subregion of the brain's thalamus that can result in optimal and long-lasting tremor improvements while reducing side effects. With this breakthrough, p...
Researchers at Mass General Brigham discovered that patients with persistent mucus plugs in their lungs experience a faster decline in lung function compared to those without the plugs. The study suggests that therapies targeting these plugs may help slow disease progression and improve patient outcomes.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that over 2.9 million Medicare beneficiaries lost their Part D insurer between 2024 and 2025, marking a sharp increase compared to the previous six years. The exits may lead to decreased competition, higher out-of-pocket costs, and disruptions in coverage and medication adherence.
Researchers developed a comprehensive cell line atlas to better understand the biology of advanced biliary tract cancer. The atlas identifies new molecular subtypes and therapeutic targets, offering a path toward more tailored treatment strategies.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham introduce a data-driven approach to prioritizing genes for public health consideration in newborn genomic sequencing programs. The model achieves high accuracy in predicting gene selection across programs, providing a ranked list of genes that can adapt to new evidence and regional needs.
A new AI tool, FaceAge, estimates a person's biological age from their facial characteristics, which is associated with cancer survival outcomes. The tool outperforms clinicians in predicting short-term life expectancies for patients receiving palliative radiotherapy.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham presented key findings from multiple innovative studies on gene and cell therapy, focusing on rare diseases, brain cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. The studies explored strategies to improve care delivery and accelerate translation from lab to clinic, with potential breakthroughs in treatin...
Researchers have identified a link between reduced pulse rate complexity and faster cognitive decline in older adults. The study found that people with more complex heartbeats tend to experience slower cognitive decline over time.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers has identified a natural 'brake' within the innate immune system that can prevent organ transplant rejection. The discovery highlights a promising target for new therapies and offers hope for longer-lasting transplant success and reduced need for lifelong immunosuppression.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that patients with relapsed/refractory mature T- and NK-cell lymphomas had improved survival rates when treated with small molecule inhibitors as second-line therapy, followed by epigenetic modifiers as third-line therapy. The study, published in the British Journal of Haematolog, also showed t...
Researchers have discovered a new pathway that may lead to a treatment for high blood pressure and aortic aneurysms. By targeting the protein DUSP-3, the team was able to block the development of aortic aneurysms and reduce hypertension in mice.
Researchers identified CLU protein as a potential strategy to protect against Alzheimer's disease by increasing clusterin protein. Increased CLU protects the brain from amyloid plaques and loss of synapses, while identifying individuals most likely to respond based on their genetics.
A multicenter cohort study found that IV magnesium administration may reduce the incidence of cisplatin-associated kidney damage, with a 20% lower adjusted odds of developing kidney damage compared to those who did not receive IV magnesium.
A new AI tool has been developed to predict the relapse of pediatric brain cancer with high accuracy, using temporal learning algorithms to analyze sequential brain scans. The tool achieved an accuracy of 75-89% in predicting recurrence, outperforming predictions based on single images.
A new study by Mass General Brigham shows that varenicline is three times more effective than behavioral counseling in helping teens and young adults quit vaping. The FDA-approved pill had a success rate of 51% at 12 weeks, compared to 14% for placebo users.
Mass General Brigham researchers developed a machine learning algorithm, PAMmla, to predict properties of genome editing enzymes. The approach helps reduce off-target effects and improves editing safety and efficiency, enabling customized enzymes for new therapeutic targets.
Researchers investigated how brains process language during real-life conversations, employing AI to analyze neural activity and linguistic features. They found that speaking and listening engage widespread networks of brain areas in the frontal and temporal lobes, with highly specific patterns changing depending on words and context.
Researchers found basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) have an immune-excluded phenotype with minimal HLA-I expression, even in early development. A stem-like quiescent program suppressed APM genes, which could be reversed to enable BCC immunotherapy.
The study found a 12.3% increase in firearm incidents overall, with higher rates of non-hunting-related incidents such as suicide, alcohol-related incidents, and domestic violence during deer hunting season.
A new inpatient onconephrology service has been established to care for patients with cancer and kidney disease, resulting in improved kidney recovery rates. The study found that patients treated by the dedicated service were more likely to have kidney recovery at discharge compared to those treated by general nephrology services.
Combining dexmedetomidine with spinal anesthesia prolongs pain relief and reduces shivering during surgery, suggesting improved recovery outcomes. However, it may slightly increase the risk of a slower heart rate.
A study of nearly 2 million people found that the use of GLP-1RA-based medications increased from 13% to 35% among those with type 2 diabetes, while traditional medications like metformin declined. Tirzepatide saw a steeper and more sustained rise in its use compared to other recently approved medications.
A new study found that a specific brain circuit is associated with the intensity of political involvement, regardless of political ideology. The researchers analyzed data from 124 male military veterans who had experienced penetrating head trauma and found lesions to this circuit in both liberal and conservative participants.
Researchers have identified Tim-3 as a promising therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease by targeting microglia in the brain. Deleting Tim-3 helps kickstart plaque removal, reduce neuroinflammation, and limit cognitive impairment.
STITCHR uses an RNA system to replace entire genes, overcoming CRISPR limitations in targeting every mutation. The tool offers a one-and-done approach for gene therapy, addressing cystic fibrosis and other diseases with thousands of mutations.
Researchers have identified nearly 300 genetic disorders that can be treated during pregnancy or in the first week of life, offering unprecedented opportunities for early intervention. The 'treatable fetal findings list' aims to improve diagnosis and enhance treatment options for fetuses with these conditions.
A study of over 9,000 participants found that early life adversities correlate with diminished white matter connections, increasing the risk for cognitive difficulties. However, supportive relationships such as neighborhood cohesion and positive parenting may offer protection against these effects.
Mass General Brigham researchers have identified 17 modifiable risk factors shared by stroke, dementia, and late-life depression. Modifying any one of these risk factors can reduce the risk of all three conditions, providing an opportunity to simultaneously reduce the burden of age-related brain diseases.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers reveals that many eligible patients who receive other preventative screenings are not getting screened for lung cancer. The study found that 65% of those eligible received breast and colorectal cancer screening, a nearly 4-fold higher rate than lung cancer screening.
A clinical trial found that electronic messages sent to providers improved care for patients with severe aortic stenosis, including higher rates of treatment with valve replacement. The study also showed improved survival for patients in the notification group, with an average increase of 12 days.
A new study from Mass General Brigham identified patients with heart ultrasound results indicating thickened heart muscle, a condition often caused by hypertension. The study used natural language processing to analyze electronic health records and found that physicians were nearly four times as likely to diagnose hypertension and pres...
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have developed a new hydrogel that continuously releases medication without breaking down under mechanical stress. The hydrogel showed promising results in preclinical studies, significantly reducing cartilage damage and improving joint lubrication.
Researchers at Mass General Brigham have identified mutations in VPS35 that can prevent chemotherapy-induced cell death, leading to treatment-resistant tumors. Higher tumoral VPS35 levels were associated with improved treatment responses and overall survival rates in patients with ovarian cancer.
Mass General Brigham researchers developed an olfactory test, where participants sniff odor labels on a card, to assess cognitive impairment. The test showed promise as a tool for identifying risk of cognitive decline and was found to be successful at home.
A new long-acting contraceptive implant has been developed that can be delivered through tiny needles, reducing patient discomfort and increasing medication use. The Self-assembling Long-acting Injectable Microcrystals (SLIM) system slowly releases the drug levonorgestrel, providing a potential alternative to surgically implanted devices.
A computer simulation model suggests that administering long-acting, injectable antibodies to infants can reduce HIV transmission and be cost-saving in high HIV burden settings. The study found that bNAbs could potentially prevent up to 42% of all new infant HIV infections.
Researchers found that the current standard monitoring time of one-and-a-half to two months following surgery is too short to accurately identify recurrence and inform treatment decisions. Monitoring PSA levels for at least three months can avoid overtreatment and mislabel patients as having recurred.
A new study by Mass General Brigham researchers has found a link between genetic mutations and toxin exposure in firefighters' brain tumors. The study identified a unique pattern of genetic mutations, known as a mutational signature, in many firefighter samples, especially those who had spent more years firefighting.
A large study of dietary habits found that diets higher in butter but low in plant oils were associated with elevated risk of mortality. Replacing butter with plant-based oils, such as soybean and olive oil, was linked to lower total, cancer, and cardiovascular disease mortality rates.
A Phase 1 clinical trial is examining the safety and feasibility of a groundbreaking treatment approach for Parkinson's disease, in which a patient's stem cells are reprogrammed to replace dopamine cells. The trial uses autologous stem cell transplantation, avoiding immunosuppressive treatments, and has enrolled three patients so far.
A study by Mass General Brigham researchers found that women over 70 who took hormone therapy had faster tau accumulation than those who didn't. This increase was seen in specific brain regions vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease. The findings suggest delaying hormone therapy may lead to worse Alzheimer's outcomes.
Researchers developed an AI tool to predict cognitive impairment over the next five years by analyzing brain wave patterns during sleep using EEG. The tool identified subtle differences in brain wave patterns that predicted which participants would later be diagnosed with cognitive impairment.