Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital describe a new screening platform that combines genetic and pharmacologic screening of tumors, enabling truly individualized treatment regimens. The approach identifies previously unknown resistance mechanisms, several of which were not detectable by gene sequencing alone.
A study at Massachusetts General Hospital identified nitric oxide's impact on SIRT1 protein, which regulates inflammation in various aging-related disorders. Blocking nitric oxide effects may disrupt this inflammatory process and prevent conditions like diabetes, atherosclerosis, and Parkinson's disease.
A study has identified a potential treatment target for cocaine addiction by revealing that altering a specific receptor protein can reduce cocaine seeking in animal models. Increasing the expression of an enzyme within the GluA2 subunits of AMPA receptors decreased cocaine seeking in animals allowed to self-administer the drug.
Efforts to roll back school nutrition standards could jeopardize gains made in the fight against childhood obesity. The authors argue that the current standards have improved meal quality and reduced waste of fruits and vegetables.
Researchers found changes in metabolic activity of key brain region after successful treatment with psychodynamic therapy. Patients who completed therapy had a greater than 50 percent reduction in depression symptoms.
A nationwide study will test whether treatment with a statin drug can reduce the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals infected with HIV. The REPRIEVE trial aims to investigate the preventive effects and underlying mechanisms of statin therapy in this population.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that hospitals struggled to meet guidelines for asthma care, particularly those with weaker scientific evidence. The study suggests that overcrowding and crowding may contribute to the decline in meeting non-level-A recommendations.
Researchers found daily sulforaphane treatment improved behavioral and communication assessments in participants with moderate to severe autism spectrum disorder. The study showed significant improvements in factors such as irritability, lethargy, and communication after 18 weeks of treatment.
Investigators from Massachusetts General Hospital developed a novel culture system that reproduces the full course of events underlying Alzheimer's disease. The system confirms the amyloid hypothesis, which suggests that deposition of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain is the first step in a cascade leading to neurodegenerative disease.
A non-invasive oral capsule approach has been shown to be as effective as colonoscopy or nasogastric tube delivery in eliminating recurrent diarrhea caused by C. difficile infection. The study found a 90% success rate for the oral capsule method, with most participants experiencing complete symptom resolution after a single treatment.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study used fMRI to investigate the neural basis of the human-pet relationship, finding that important brain structures are activated when women view images of their children and dogs. The study revealed both similarities and differences in brain activity, with some regions showing increased response to ...
Daily vitamin D treatment improves symptoms of atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema, in Mongolian schoolchildren. The study found a significant reduction in symptoms, with an average improvement of 29% compared to the placebo group. Vitamin D deficiency is common among children during winter months.
An international study found that introducing gluten at different ages has no effect on developing celiac disease, and genetic factors are the primary risk factor. The study's results suggest a blood test for HLA genotype could determine high-risk infants, paving the way for preventive interventions.
Researchers report that crizotinib effectively halted tumor growth in 36 of 50 study participants and suppressed it in another 9. The study confirmed that ROS1 is a viable therapeutic target for ROS1-positive lung cancer patients.
A survey of 3,000 US researchers found that NIH policies have increased data sharing, with genetics researchers ranking it highest. However, issues such as incomplete material transfer agreements and inadequate formal sanctions remain.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study analyzed circulating tumor cells and found increased expression of extracellular matrix genes, which could be a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer. The study also identified distinct classes of pancreatic CTCs with unique gene expression patterns.
A new point-of-care CD4 test can quickly provide HIV diagnosis results, allowing more patients to receive treatment sooner. In resource-limited settings, this can lead to almost a full year of additional life expectancy, making it a cost-effective solution.
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital found that 40% of cannabis-using adolescents experienced withdrawal symptoms, despite widespread perception of cannabis as nonaddictive. The presence or absence of withdrawal did not affect long-term treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found that CTC clusters are associated with poor prognosis and metastatic potential. The presence of CTC clusters in the blood of cancer patients may identify a novel target for therapy.
A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry found no statistically significant link between prenatal antidepressant exposure and autism risk after accounting for severe maternal depression. However, an increased risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persisted even after controlling for factors related to a mother...
A study by Massachusetts General Hospital finds that patients with frequent ED visits for acute heart failure syndrome account for disproportionate costs and service utilization. The research highlights the need for better outpatient care to prevent repeat ED visits and reduce hospitalizations.
A study published in JAMA found that a program providing extended support to hospitalized smokers increased the six-month success rate of quitting by over 70%. The program used interactive voice response technology and stop-smoking medication to provide sustained care after discharge.
The MGH device tracks the movement of cells passing through a comb-like array, allowing researchers to study epithelial-mesenchymal transition and its role in tumor metastasis. This process enables cancer cells to break off from primary tumors and invade other tissues.
Researchers found that fibroblastic reticular cells from lymph nodes improved survival in mouse models of sepsis, even when treatment was delayed by up to 16 hours. FRC administration prevented damage to the spleen and death of immune cells, leading to reduced bacterial levels in the bloodstream.
The study highlights the potential of increased adoption of complex care management to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes. However, several barriers, including fee-for-service payment systems and lack of resources in small practices, must be addressed.
A revised surgical procedure to treat severe chronic migraine headaches led to significant symptom relief in over 90% of patients. More than half of those treated reported complete elimination of all migraine symptoms a year later.
Stimulating the ventral tegmental area with mild electric currents induced dopamine release and restored conscious behaviors in anesthetized rats. The study suggests that dopamine release from this region may play a role in emergence from general anesthesia.
A six-month treatment with tesamorelin lowered liver fat modestly but significantly in HIV patients. The drug's impact on glucose metabolism was temporary, and reduced liver inflammation may result from lower fat levels.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital developed a microchip-based device to capture and culture circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for genetic analysis and drug testing. The study found that cultured CTCs accurately reflect a tumor's genetic mutation over time, revealing new mutations and potential drug targets.
A new study finds that sibling obesity is more strongly associated with a child's risk of obesity than parental obesity, particularly among same-gender siblings. The risk is more than five times greater when an obese sibling is present, and physical activity levels can mitigate this effect.
Researchers from MGH have uncovered new information about genes that may increase the risk of serious cardiac arrhythmias. The studies identified a greater role for calcium signaling in regulating cardiac function and pinpointed specific genes involved in the biology of cardiac repolarization.
A Massachusetts General Hospital-developed protocol successfully preserved rat livers for up to four days using supercooling and machine perfusion. The method could enable the use of organs currently deemed unsuitable for transplant, alleviating the worldwide organ shortage.
A study found that UV-induced beta-endorphin production causes addiction-like symptoms in mice, including withdrawal symptoms when blocked. The researchers suggest that reducing skin cancer risk may require confronting factors influencing hazardous behavior.
A new version of a bionic pancreas device has been tested in two clinical trials, regulating blood sugar in patients with type 1 diabetes using insulin and glucagon. The device adapts to individual needs and prevents hypoglycemia, producing positive results in both adult and adolescent trials.
Researchers at MGH and Ragon Institute identified how p21, a tumor suppressor protein, blocks HIV reverse transcription in CD4 T cells. This mechanism contributes to the natural control of HIV infection in elite controllers without drug treatment.
Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed for the first time that stimulation of the ventral tegmental area can change behavior in primates. The study found that activation of the brain's reward system, mediated by dopamine, can induce changes in visual preference and motivation.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a new source of skin grafts to treat seriously burned patients, using pigs lacking the Gal sugar molecule. The grafts were as effective as human skin and showed signs of rejection similar to deceased-donor grafts.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discover that pulsed electrical fields can kill resistant bacteria infecting burns, reducing bacterial levels up to 10,000-fold. The technology has the potential to provide a chemical-free way of disinfecting burns and other wound infections.
A comprehensive study found that children who consistently received less than the recommended hours of sleep during infancy and early childhood had increases in both obesity and adiposity at age 7. Lower sleep scores were associated with higher levels of all body measurements reflecting obesity and adiposity, including abdominal fat.
A new transgenic mouse model produces both essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on a carbohydrate diet. The Omega mouse has been bred to produce mice that express both genes, leading to significant increases in omega-3 levels and decreases in omega-6, with implications for human health.
Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) promotes beneficial bacteria growth by blocking ATP's growth-inhibiting action. The study reveals IAP's role in maintaining intestinal microbial balance and its potential as a simple therapy for health problems caused by imbalance.
A new machine perfusion system has been developed to increase the supply and quality of donor organs for liver transplantation. The system preserves metabolic function, preconditioning the liver before transplantation. Key findings include improved organ viability and reduced tissue damage.
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital found that the brain decides whether sound combinations are permissible by referencing known words, rather than applying abstract rules. This new understanding may lead to better comprehension of how brain processes are disrupted in stroke patients with aphasia.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a new CRISPR-based RNA-guided nuclease technology that significantly reduces off-target gene mutations. By doubling the length of DNA recognized for cleavage, the new platform improves genome editing precision and fidelity.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully treated C. difficile infection with frozen fecal material, achieving a 90% success rate and offering a safer alternative to traditional Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT). The treatment involves administering the frozen material through a nasogastric tube, which is as effec...
Researchers developed an assay to analyze poly-G repeat mutations in human cancer samples, revealing evolutionary relationships among tumor sites. The study found that individual patients had varying levels of genetic differences between primary tumors and metastases, suggesting early or late metastatic spread.
A long-term study found that increased television viewing is associated with shorter sleep duration in young children, particularly minority children. The study also showed that sleeping in a room with a TV reduces average sleep time by half an hour.
A team of researchers identified four transcription factors that distinguish glioblastoma stem cells from more differentiated tumor cells. These factors were found to be active in 2-7% of human glioblastoma cells and could be targeted by new therapeutic approaches.
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that relationship-focused training had a small but statistically significant effect on measured health outcomes in patients with conditions such as obesity and diabetes. The study suggests that a good patient-clinician relationship can produce health effects similar to some common t...
A phase 1 trial found ceritinib to be highly effective against both crizotinib-sensitive and resistant tumors with manageable side effects. The study enrolled 130 participants and showed dramatic shrinkage in tumor size and number in around 60% of patients.