NEUROLOGY

RADIOLOGY

Study defines first thyroid stiffness benchmarks in infants using 2D-SWE, aiding early thyroid screening.

First Reference Values for Infant Thyroid via 2D-SWE Identifie

A new study has established the first reference values for thyroid stiffness and volume in infants using two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE). Conducted on 88 asymptomatic infants aged 0–12 months, the research found thyroid volume grows with age and stiffness slightly increases after six months. The findings support 2D-SWE as a safe, non-invasive tool for early thyroid assessment.

APOE ε4 may drive early brain inflammation before Alzheimer’s pathology, offering potential targets for prevention.

APOE ε4 Linked to Early Immune Activation in Alzheimer’s

A multi-tissue proteomic study found that APOE ε4 carriers had a dose-dependent pro-inflammatory immune signature across blood, cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue, independent of Alzheimer’s diagnosis. The signature appeared before amyloid and tau pathology and was partly reversed after 12 weeks of a medical ketogenic diet, suggesting a potential target for early prevention.

Adverse policing may contribute to psychosocial burden and shape cognitive health and dementia risk in older Black adults.

Adverse Policing Linked to Cognitive Health in Older Black Adults

A Health and Retirement Study analysis of 265 older Black adults found that depressive symptoms and cognitive performance generally represented distinct dimensions, but effort-related depressive symptoms and cognitive measures often overlapped. The findings suggest psychosocial burden linked to adverse policing may influence how social adversity affects cognitive health and dementia risk.

C9orf72 carriers show stage-specific brain connectivity changes linked to neurofilament light chain and symptoms.

C9orf72 Expansion Linked to Stage-Specific Brain Network Changes

A longitudinal MRI study of C9orf72 expansion carriers found stage-specific changes in functional brain network connectivity across asymptomatic, prodromal, and symptomatic stages. In asymptomatic carriers, connectivity changes correlated with baseline neurofilament light chain levels, while later-stage changes were linked to NfL and symptom severity.

A six-step framework aims to guide safe, ethical and equitable AI development and use in dementia care.

Six-Step Framework for Responsible AI in Dementia Care

An interdisciplinary Alzheimer's Association Innovation Roundtable workgroup developed a six-step framework for responsible AI in dementia care. The pathway emphasizes ethical foundations, stakeholder engagement, co-design, impact assessment, iterative feedback, and digital literacy to balance innovation with autonomy, equity, and patient safety.

QTM detected early, female-biased microvascular dysfunction in Alzheimer’s before conventional blood-flow changes emerged.

QTM Detects Early Microvascular Changes in Alzheimer’s

A study of 182 participants found that quantitative transport mapping (QTM) detected reduced brain perfusion velocity as early as subjective cognitive decline, before conventional cerebral blood flow changes seen in MCI and Alzheimer’s disease. QTM changes were particularly pronounced in females and associated with blood biomarkers and cognitive performance.

CARDIOLOGY

Higher transition zone burden was linked to slower atrial conduction and greater AF recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation.

Atrial Transition Zone Burden Predicts AF Recurrence After Ablation

A study of 158 elderly patients with paroxysmal AF found that greater transition zone (TZ) burden was associated with slower left atrial conduction velocity and a higher risk of arrhythmia recurrence after circumferential pulmonary vein isolation. TZ burden independently predicted recurrence, highlighting its potential role in identifying patients at higher risk after ablation.

DERMATOLOGY

Body dysmorphic concerns and shame may influence attitudes toward cosmetic surgery, highlighting the need for psychological screening.

Shame and Body Dysmorphic Concerns Shape Cosmetic Surgery Attitudes

A study of 399 Lebanese adults found that body dysmorphic concerns were linked to greater shame and higher acceptance of cosmetic surgery. Shame showed a complex, partial mediating role, with higher shame associated with lower acceptance. Screening for body image concerns and shame during preoperative consultations may support more ethical, patient-centered care.

Evidence-based pruritus care in atopic dermatitis highlights nursing roles in skin care, adherence, monitoring and follow-up.

Pruritus Management in Atopic Dermatitis: Key Nursing Strategie

A review of 26 studies highlights the need for combined pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to manage pruritus in atopic dermatitis. Nurses play a key role through symptom assessment, skin barrier care, patient education, adherence support, safety monitoring, and follow-up, helping improve itch control and quality of life.

RHEUMATOLOGY

AI-based HRCT analysis may enable faster, objective and quantitative ILD assessment in inflammatory rheumatic disorders.

AI-Powered HRCT Analysis for ILD in Rheumatic Diseases

A review highlights how AI and computer-based analysis of high-resolution CT scans could enable faster, more objective and quantitative assessment of interstitial lung disease in patients with inflammatory rheumatic disorders. These tools can measure lung abnormalities and classify disease patterns while potentially reducing variability in expert interpretation.

CAP changes in children with epilepsy appear heterogeneous and syndrome-specific, with reduced A3 Index as the key preliminary finding

Sleep Instability and Epilepsy in Children: CAP Study Findings

A systematic review of four comparisons involving 140 children found no significant difference in overall sleep instability between children with epilepsy and healthy controls. However, the A3 CAP index was lower in epilepsy, although this finding was not consistently maintained in sensitivity analyses. Researchers suggest CAP changes may be syndrome-specific and require larger longitudinal studies.

MRI glymphatic markers showed stage-dependent changes linked to motor and functional decline in Huntington’s disease.

MRI Glymphatic Markers Track Huntington’s Disease Progression

An analysis of 2,731 MRI sessions from 880 participants across three Huntington’s disease cohorts found stage-dependent changes in glymphatic MRI markers. Lower DTI-ALPS indices and altered enlarged perivascular spaces were associated with disease progression, motor impairment and functional decline, while both markers improved prediction beyond established genetic and imaging measures.

DENTISTRY

AI-assisted smile designs showed different aesthetic preferences across software, with Smilefy and Smilecloud ranking highest.

AI-Assisted Smile Designs: Aesthetic Preferences Across Software

A study of 164 dental specialists and laypeople found significant differences in aesthetic preferences across AI-assisted smile designs from four software platforms. Smilefy and Smilecloud received the highest overall rankings, while Trios ranked lowest. Specialists showed a stronger preference for Smilecloud, with age-related differences also observed in their preference for Trios.

A multidisciplinary inpatient program reduced Parkinson’s medication errors and improved discharge outcomes in hospitalized patients.

Inpatient Program Reduces Medication Errors in Parkinson’s Disease

A multidisciplinary inpatient program for people with Parkinson’s disease was associated with fewer medication errors and better discharge outcomes. Among 366 monitored admissions, improper levodopa substitutions, timing deviations, missed doses and contraindicated medication exposure all declined, while discharge to non-home settings fell from 44.8% to 38.3%.

PEDIATRICS

Many women with cystic fibrosis lack contraception counseling, highlighting a need for better reproductive health support.

Contraception Education Gaps in Women With Cystic Fibrosis

A survey of 97 women with cystic fibrosis found that although 90% were not trying to conceive, only 55% used contraception. While 68.1% wanted contraceptive information from their CF care team, just 28.9% had received it. Side effects were a major influence on contraceptive choices and the leading reason for discontinuation.

PULMONOLOGY

CPET may complement spirometry in COPD severity assessment, but obesity can influence peakVO₂/kg-based grading.

CPET May Improve COPD Severity Assessment Beyond Spirometry

A study of 152 patients with COPD found only 30.9% agreement between GOLD spirometric grading and peakVO₂/kg-based CPET grading. CPET classified 60.5% as more severe, particularly those with mild-to-moderate COPD, older age, obesity, and cardiovascular comorbidity. Findings highlight the complementary value of CPET while cautioning that adiposity can influence peakVO₂/kg-based severity.

New Ultrasound Technique ...

New Ultrasound Technique Sets Benchmarks for Infant Thyroid Health