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Buprenorphine treatment produces greatest health gains and cost savings for mothers and infants

Over the last 20 years, substance use-related deaths have more than doubled for women of reproductive age. Overdose deaths are now a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S., and in some states, the leading cause.

11 Sep 2025

Scientists uncover brain circuit that turns cravings into eating behavior

Researchers found that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis integrates pleasure signals from central amygdala prodynorphin neurons and hunger signals from agouti-related peptide neurons to drive consumption. Manipulating this bed nucleus of the stria terminalis circuit bidirectionally altered food intake and body weight in mice.

11 Sep 2025

Popular weight-loss medications raise pregnancy safety concerns for women

Women taking popular weight-loss medications during their reproductive years may be unaware of associated risks to pregnancy and unborn babies, warn Flinders University researchers.

8 Sep 2025

Sleep medications linked to reduced deep sleep and disrupted memory

Long-term benzodiazepine use in older adults disrupts sleep patterns, leading to lighter sleep and potential cognitive decline due to altered brain activity.

8 Sep 2025

WHO expands essential medicines lists with new cancer and diabetes treatments

Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released updated editions of its Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc), adding new treatments for various types of cancer and for diabetes with associated comorbidities such as obesity.

5 Sep 2025

As insurers struggle with GLP-1 drug costs, some seek to wean patients off

After losing 50 pounds on the injectable weight loss medication Zepbound, Kyra Wensley received a surprising letter from her pharmacy benefit manager in April.

4 Sep 2025

Long-term benzodiazepine use linked to poor sleep quality in older adults

Long-term use of benzodiazepine and related drugs has been linked to poorer quality sleep in older adults with insomnia.

3 Sep 2025

Increasing numbers of bariatric surgery patients turn to GLP-1 drugs

Bariatric surgery is usually effective on its own for weight loss, but an increasing proportion of patients who undergo bariatric surgery start taking one of the new glucagon-like 1 peptide receptor agonist (GLP-1) weight-loss drugs in the years after their surgery, according to a new study led by researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

27 Aug 2025

GLP-1 receptor agonists improve heart failure outcomes and reduce environmental impact

New research has found that the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of medications commonly prescribed for patients with obesity and diabetes, reduces the environmental footprint of healthcare and clinical outcomes when used to treat heart failure.

27 Aug 2025

Do GLP-1 drugs shrink your muscles? New study explains the risks and what to do

GLP-1 receptor agonists are transforming obesity and diabetes care, but may reduce skeletal muscle mass, raising concerns about sarcopenic obesity. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms, clinical implications, and mitigation strategies, including exercise, protein intake, and adjunct therapies.

26 Aug 2025

International experts recommend broader use of cardioprotective diabetes drugs

SGLT-2 inhibitor and GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs should be used in all or almost all adults with type 2 diabetes at higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney complications, and in the majority of adults at moderate risk of complications, say a panel of international experts in The BMJ today.

17 Aug 2025

GIPR signaling opens brain’s gate for GLP-1 weight-loss therapy

A Cell Metabolism study reveals that GIPR signaling in oligodendrocytes enhances brain access and weight-loss efficacy of GLP-1R agonists by increasing vascular permeability and targeting appetite-regulating neurons. This mechanism may explain why GIPR/GLP-1R co-agonists outperform single-agent therapies.

14 Aug 2025

Engineered CD40 antibody shrinks tumors and induces remission

Over the past 20 years, a class of cancer drugs called CD40 agonist antibodies have shown great promise-and induced great disappointment.

14 Aug 2025

Genicular artery embolization relieves chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis

A procedure performed under mild sedation in less than two hours by an interventional radiologist relieves chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, an NYU Langone Health study shows.

14 Aug 2025

Brain’s energy control map offers blueprint for next-gen weight loss therapies

Scientists map how the brain integrates hormonal and neural signals from the body to control appetite, energy use, and reward pathways, revealing targets for next-generation anti-obesity drugs. This review highlights the interplay between neuroendocrine circuits, neuroplasticity, and pharmacotherapy for durable, non-aversive weight loss.

11 Aug 2025

Updated multidisciplinary European guidelines redefine MASLD diagnosis and treatment

The 2024 European clinical practice guidelines introduce a pivotal terminology shift, replacing NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) with MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and NASH with MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis).

7 Aug 2025

RAND study highlights patterns of GLP-1 medication use and side effects

Nearly 12% of Americans have used GLP-1 drugs for weight loss, including about one-fifth of women aged 50 to 64, according to a new RAND report.

6 Aug 2025

HIV trial points to semaglutide as a new anti-aging contender

Once-weekly semaglutide significantly slowed epigenetic aging in adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, as measured by multiple DNA methylation clocks in a randomized controlled trial. These exploratory findings suggest GLP-1 receptor agonists could impact biological aging but require further validation in broader populations.

4 Aug 2025

Psychedelic and non-hallucinogenic drugs promote neuroplasticity through shared pathways

Understanding exactly how psychedelics promote new connections in the brain is critical to developing targeted, non-hallucinogenic therapeutics that can treat neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases.

4 Aug 2025

Metformin’s blood sugar control starts in the brain, not just the liver, study finds

Low, clinically relevant doses of metformin lower blood glucose by inhibiting the Rap1 protein in specific neurons of the hypothalamus, revealing a brain-first mechanism. This action is essential for metformin’s effect at therapeutic doses and highlights new directions for diabetes treatment.

3 Aug 2025