The Briefing

Continuous newsroom coverage of clinically relevant evidence — newest first.

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24 stories
  1. THC Disrupts Rat Fear Memory via Sex-Specific Microglial and Receptor Pathways
    Neuropsychopharmacology ·Animal Study · May 11, 2026

    THC Disrupts Rat Fear Memory via Sex-Specific Microglial and Receptor Pathways

    In male rats, THC requires microglial recruitment and dual receptor signaling, while female effects depend on the estrous cycle and CB1.

  2. Gamma Knife Surgery Provides Durable Control of Vestibular Schwannoma
    Journal of neurosurgery ·Cohort Study · May 11, 2026

    Gamma Knife Surgery Provides Durable Control of Vestibular Schwannoma

    A 30-year study shows true tumor progression is rare after 10 years, supporting reduced imaging for patients stable at the 5-year mark.

  3. Child Maltreatment Linked to Systemic Homeostatic Dysregulation
    Molecular Psychiatry ·Cohort Study · May 11, 2026

    Child Maltreatment Linked to Systemic Homeostatic Dysregulation

    Recent trauma in children may disrupt physiological stability and delay development in males rather than accelerating biological aging.

  4. Propofol Reduces Long-Term Water Contamination Compared to Sevoflurane
    British Journal of Anaesthesia ·Cohort Study · May 11, 2026

    Propofol Reduces Long-Term Water Contamination Compared to Sevoflurane

    A modeling study finds sevoflurane leads to irreversible accumulation of trifluoroacetic acid while propofol residues remain biodegradable.

  5. Lumateperone Leads Efficacy While Aripiprazole Shows Best Acceptability in Depression
    JAMA Psychiatry ·Meta-Analysis · May 11, 2026

    Lumateperone Leads Efficacy While Aripiprazole Shows Best Acceptability in Depression

    A meta-analysis of 10,962 patients quantifies the trade-offs between symptom reduction and treatment adherence for adjunctive antipsychotics.

  6. BRAF V600E Mutation Predicts Early Recurrence in Rathke Cleft Cysts
    Journal of neurosurgery ·Cohort Study · May 11, 2026

    BRAF V600E Mutation Predicts Early Recurrence in Rathke Cleft Cysts

    A retrospective analysis of 383 sellar lesions suggests BRAF-positive cysts behave like papillary craniopharyngiomas and require reclassification.

  7. Sleep Efficiency Improvements Drive Antidepressant Response to CBT for Insomnia
    Neuropsychopharmacology ·Cohort Study · May 11, 2026

    Sleep Efficiency Improvements Drive Antidepressant Response to CBT for Insomnia

    A mechanistic trial shows that objective sleep gains, not changes in brain emotional circuits, correlate with improved mood symptoms.

  8. Nucleus Accumbens Dopamine Regulates Multi-Option Foraging Rates in Mice
    Neuron ·Animal Study · May 11, 2026

    Nucleus Accumbens Dopamine Regulates Multi-Option Foraging Rates in Mice

    A global learning rate in the nucleus accumbens core allows for rapid value integration across six concurrent choices in large arenas.

  9. Penetrating Brain Injury Mortality Reaches 42% While Prophylaxis Compliance Lags
    Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine ·Cohort Study · May 11, 2026

    Penetrating Brain Injury Mortality Reaches 42% While Prophylaxis Compliance Lags

    Despite high mortality, 70% of survivors achieve favorable outcomes, though adherence to antibiotic and seizure protocols remains low.

  10. Tirofiban Improves 90-Day Outcomes After Inadequate Tenecteplase Response
    JAMA ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 11, 2026

    Tirofiban Improves 90-Day Outcomes After Inadequate Tenecteplase Response

    Adjunctive tirofiban increased the rate of functional independence in patients with non-large vessel stroke who failed to improve.

  11. SMART Model Matches Radiologists in Differentiating New Lung Malignancies
    European Radiology ·Diagnostic Accuracy Study · May 11, 2026

    SMART Model Matches Radiologists in Differentiating New Lung Malignancies

    A CT-based tool using semantic features like emphysema and spiculation helps distinguish second primary lung cancers from metastases.

  12. Chronic Stroke Survivors Retain Motivational Drive Despite Impaired Reward Learning
    Brain ·Cohort Study · May 11, 2026

    Chronic Stroke Survivors Retain Motivational Drive Despite Impaired Reward Learning

    A study of 40 patients shows that while stroke slows belief updating, the ability to speed up movements for rewards remains intact.

  13. SSPOP Gene Mutations Linked to Pediatric Epilepsy and Developmental Delay
    Brain ·Preclinical Study · May 11, 2026

    SSPOP Gene Mutations Linked to Pediatric Epilepsy and Developmental Delay

    Researchers identify pathogenic variants in a presumed pseudogene, expanding the diagnostic landscape for unexplained seizure disorders.

  14. Prostate SBRT Maintains 90% Relapse-Free Survival at Ten Years
    European Urology ·Non-Randomized Controlled Trial · May 10, 2026

    Prostate SBRT Maintains 90% Relapse-Free Survival at Ten Years

    A multi-center trial of 310 patients shows low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer control remains durable with minimal late toxicity.

  15. CT Metrics Predict Benralizumab Response in Severe Asthma
    CHEST Journal ·Prognostic Study · May 10, 2026

    CT Metrics Predict Benralizumab Response in Severe Asthma

    Quantitative imaging of small airway disease and sinus opacification identifies responders more accurately than blood eosinophil counts.

  16. Magnetic Seizure Therapy Limits Memory Loss in Bipolar Depression Trial
    American Journal of Psychiatry ·Randomized Controlled Trial · May 10, 2026

    Magnetic Seizure Therapy Limits Memory Loss in Bipolar Depression Trial

    A randomized pilot study shows magnetic seizure therapy matches the efficacy of ultrabrief ECT while reducing cognitive adverse effects.

  17. Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction Remains Undervalued Despite Improved Efficiency
    Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery ·Cohort Study · May 10, 2026

    Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction Remains Undervalued Despite Improved Efficiency

    A 13-year analysis reveals that while free flap reimbursement per hour has risen, it still lags significantly behind implant-based options.

  18. Skin Biopsies Differentiate Body-First and Brain-First Parkinson’s Disease
    Brain ·Cross-Sectional Study · May 10, 2026

    Skin Biopsies Differentiate Body-First and Brain-First Parkinson’s Disease

    Cutaneous alpha-synuclein patterns and seeding kinetics identify distinct pathological origins in Parkinson’s disease subtypes.

  19. Prefrontal Cortex Origin for Rhythmic Ictal Nonclonic Hand Motions
    Neurology ·Case Report · May 10, 2026

    Prefrontal Cortex Origin for Rhythmic Ictal Nonclonic Hand Motions

    Intracerebral recordings show that specific hand motions often linked to temporal lobe epilepsy can originate in the middle frontal gyrus.

  20. Automated Software Identifies Hundreds of Patients Lost to Aneurysm Follow-Up
    Journal of vascular surgery ·Cohort Study · May 10, 2026

    Automated Software Identifies Hundreds of Patients Lost to Aneurysm Follow-Up

    Natural language processing of 7.5 million imaging reports captured 492 new patients and generated 47 surgical repairs.

  21. Brain FAAH Levels Rise During Short-Term Cannabis Abstinence
    Neuropsychopharmacology ·Cohort Study · May 10, 2026

    Brain FAAH Levels Rise During Short-Term Cannabis Abstinence

    PET imaging shows enzyme increases in the ventral striatum correlate with depression and impulsivity during early withdrawal.

  22. Perinatal Cash Transfers Linked to 32% Drop in Infant Maltreatment Reports
    JAMA Pediatrics ·Cohort Study · May 10, 2026

    Perinatal Cash Transfers Linked to 32% Drop in Infant Maltreatment Reports

    A study of Flint's Rx Kids program shows unconditional cash support significantly reduces child protective services investigations.

  23. Transcortical Mapping for Insular Glioma Limits Deficits and Improves Survival
    Journal of neurosurgery ·Cohort Study · May 10, 2026

    Transcortical Mapping for Insular Glioma Limits Deficits and Improves Survival

    A 500-case analysis identifies specific residual volume thresholds that correlate with survival while keeping permanent deficits under 4%.

  24. Advanced Paternal Age Increases Autism Risk in Grandchildren via Female Lineage
    Biological Psychiatry ·Cohort Study · May 10, 2026

    Advanced Paternal Age Increases Autism Risk in Grandchildren via Female Lineage

    A registry study of 12.6 million people shows that a grandfather's age at his daughter's birth influences his grandchildren's autism risk.