Studies of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have long been dominated by the amyloid cascade hypothesis, although mounting evidence suggests that amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition might be a late downstream event, rather than the initiating trigger of AD. Here, I propose a unifying Triple-Hit Hypothesis in which AD develops through a sequential interaction among three causative processes that have been individually implicated before in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease: (1) early blood–brain barrier (BBB) breakdown, (2) entry or reactivation of microbial agents within the brain, and (3) maladaptive innate immune responses that produce chronic neuroinflammation and Aβ accumulation. Converging data from human imaging, neuropathology, infectious disease studies, genetics, and vascular medicine could suggest that these three processes, which were in some previous studies linked to AD, might not be independent but rather that their temporal synergy could drive disease progression. This new conceptual framework integrates long-standing but fragmented lines of evidence and, if confirmed by experimental studies, offers the possibility for the development of new diagnostic biomarkers, new therapeutic entry points, and prevention strategies for AD. I argue that understanding AD as a disorder of the blood-brain barrier, immunity, and host–pathogen interactions should be taken into account in future research on the etiology and clinical progression of AD.
Reading speed, visual deficits, and cerebral white matter integrity in veterans with and without mild traumatic brain injury
IntroductionSince 2001, approximately 17.3% of enlisted personnel have experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI) according to the United States military. Visual deficits (e.g., convergence insufficiency or pursuit abnormalities) are reported as chronic, persistent symptoms of TBI, which can impact daily activities such as reading, computer work, and driving.MethodsIn the present study, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) data and behavioral and survey data related to visual function were analyzed for 63 combat veterans with and without mild TBI (mTBI). We also tested the hypothesis that white matter damage, measured as either decreased fractional anisotropy of white matter or “potholes” evident in the DWI data, would predict visual behaviors (reading speed, smooth pursuit catch-up saccades, and/or convergence insufficiency).ResultsOur key finding is that scores on the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey (CISS) predicted whether the use of a color overlay would increase reading speed for participants with mTBI, but not for control participants. General linear model analyses found a relationship between smooth pursuit catch-up saccades and the cumulative number of white matter “potholes” found in white matter across the cerebrum. However, the sample size was too small to conclude that these correlations were uniquely related to TBI status.DiscussionThese findings point toward the importance of additional research to determine exactly how mTBI is associated with reduced reading speed and why altering the color of the page improves performance for individuals with mTBI and convergence insufficiency.
Beyond the auditory: anxiety bridges sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms to tinnitus handicap
BackgroundTinnitus is closely associated with psychological factors including anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. However, how these variables interact to influence tinnitus severity remains poorly understood, warranting further exploration.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed data from 285 patients with tinnitus, utilizing the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Scale of Sleep (SRSS), and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) as assessment instruments. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify psychosocial factors associated with THI scores. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the mediating role of anxiety—specifically, whether sleep disturbances and depression exacerbate tinnitus handicap indirectly through heightened anxiety. Subgroup analyses were further conducted to evaluate the stability of this psychological mediation pathway across different demographic and clinical subgroups (e.g., age, gender, disease duration).ResultsTinnitus severity was significantly positively correlated with scores on the SRSS, SDS, and SAS (all P < 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis identified age, sleep quality (SRSS), and anxiety (SAS) as independent predictors of increased Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores. Structural equation modeling further confirmed that SAS partially mediated the relationship between SRSS and THI (mediation effect: 31.7%) and fully mediated the relationship between SDS and THI. Subgroup analyses revealed that the mediating effect of anxiety was more pronounced in middle-aged and elderly individuals, females, and patients with left-sided tinnitus.ConclusionAnxiety serves as a central mediating mechanism linking sleep disturbances and depressive symptoms to tinnitus severity. The present findings demonstrate that anxiety not only directly exacerbates tinnitus-related handicap but also mediates the influence of sleep and mood disturbances on tinnitus distress. These findings underscore the critical role of anxiety in personalized tinnitus treatment.
Does the phubbing scale measure the same construct across sexes? Evidence from a Nigerian sample
IntroductionPhubbing is associated with excessive use of digital technologies, and the Phubbing Scale (PS) is widely used to measure it. The PS may be influenced by cultural variations, so it is advisable to validate it before applying it in a new cultural context. Phubbing has emerged as a construct of interest in Nigeria, yet no validation studies for the PS have been conducted in this population.MethodsTo address this gap, the PS, along with scales measuring technological addictions and digital life balance, was administered to 396 Nigerian university students (18 to 25 years old; 80.6% female). Confirmatory Factor Analysis was used to test two 10-item models and one 8-item model. The best-fitting model was subsequently tested. Internal and external validity, and measurement invariance across sexes were assessed.ResultsThe 8-item correlated two-factor model (PS-8) showed the best results. For PS-8, internal and external validity, and strict measurement invariance across sexes were supported based on global fit indices. However, parameter estimates suggested potential sex-related differences in the construct. In females, factor loadings and the correlation between factors were adequate, whereas in males several items of Factor 2 showed low loadings, and the correlation between factors was negligible.ConclusionIn conclusion, the PS-8 appears suitable for measuring phubbing in this population, although potential sex-related differences should be considered. These differences may stem from psychometric limitations in the Smartphone Obsession factor items and/or from variations in how the PS construct manifests across sexes, which could affect interventions or comparative studies. Considering the limitations of the study, future research will be necessary to corroborate these findings.
Association between neurodegenerative plasma biomarkers and geriatric depression in older adults with and without clinical dementia in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
IntroductionPrevious Western studies have shown an association between neurodegenerative plasma biomarkers and geriatric depression. However, few studies have examined this relationship in sub-Saharan African countries. This article examines this association in older adults with or without clinical dementia in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included eighty-one people aged 65 years and older assessed for dementia using the Community Dementia Screening Instrument (CSID) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Questionnaire. Depression and cognitive impairment were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale and the African Neuropsychological Battery (ANB), respectively. Plasma biomarkers measured included β-amyloid (Aβ) 40/42, phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau), neurofilament light chain (NfL), glial fibrillar acid protein (GFAP), interleukins (IL-1β, IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Logistic regression models were used to estimate the likelihood that these biomarkers are associated with depression, adjusting for sex, age, and education level.ResultsThe mean age of the participants was 72.9 years. Of those suspected of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 80% had geriatric depression. High blood pressure was common in participants with suspected AD (60%). People with dementia had significantly lower cognitive scores on all ANB tests than those without dementia. GFAP and NfL were significantly associated with higher odds of geriatric depression, with odds ratios of 1.98 (1.17–3.67; p = 0.02) and 1.76 (1.06–3.20; p = 0.04), respectively. Other biomarkers were not associated with depression.ConclusionThis study suggests a potential role of nonspecific biomarkers of AD, neurodegeneration, and astrocytic glial activation in geriatric depression in older adults in sub-Saharan Africa.
Unseen intimate partner violence: regional differences in controlling behaviours
IntroductionControlling behaviour is considered a form of emotional abuse and restricts an individual’s autonomy. This study aims to determine the factors associated with women’s exposure to controlling behaviour by their spouse/partner in the last year, as of the time the survey was conducted, by place of residence in Türkiye.MethodsThis study utilised microdata obtained from the National Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Türkiye. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with women’s exposure to controlling behaviour by their spouse/partner.ResultsThe results of the study showed that age, educational level, the woman’s greater contribution to household income, suicidal thoughts, previous pregnancies, the educational level of the spouse/partner, whether or not the man beating his wife is considered acceptable, the educational level of the spouse/partner, fear of the spouse/partner, the spouse/partner fighting with the man in a way that involves physical violence, the spouse/partner experiencing physical violence from their own family, exposure to other types of violence by the spouse/partner, knowledge of preventive measures against violence, and household size were found to be associated with exposure to controlling behaviour.DiscussionThe study found that the significance and effect of variables related to exposure to controlling behaviour also differed by women’s place of residence. According to the study, appropriate strategies to reduce controlling behaviour should be developed, taking into account public health programmes to raise awareness of controlling behaviour towards women, based on their place of residence, and considering the determinants that influence exposure to controlling behaviour.
Naming in medicine: how disease nomenclature shapes diagnosis, research and patient lives
Nature Medicine, Published online: 22 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04456-w
Naming in medicine: how disease nomenclature shapes diagnosis, research and patient lives
STAT+: EU and US advisers split over AstraZeneca breast cancer drug
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Merck’s bet on an antibody-drug conjugate developed in China has paid off in a major Phase 3 lung cancer study, where sacituzumab tirumotecan paired with Keytruda sharply outperformed Keytruda alone in a subset of lung cancer patients.
Also, the NIH is down another leader, and Sam Altman-backed longevity startup Retro Biosciences raises more funds.
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Parkinson’s drug setback, a Merck lung cancer therapy, and more
And so, another working week will soon draw to a close. Not a moment too soon, yes? This is, you may recall, our treasured signal to daydream about weekend plans. Our agenda is unusually busy thanks to a lengthy to-do list that must be tackled before we walk one of the no-longer-so-short people down the aisle. What else? Hard to keep track, but once the chaos subsides, we hope to settle in for another listening party, where the rotation will likely include this, this, this, this and this. And what about you? Spring is in the air, so perhaps this is time to hike a trail, stroll through a park, or take a long drive to nowhere. You could also plan a summer getaway (book now before those fuel costs rise again) or clear out the perennial clutter. If all this is too much or the weather fails to cooperate, you could simply go into zen mode and plan the rest of your life. Well, whatever you do, have a grand time. But be safe. Enjoy, and see you on Tuesday, since there is a long weekend due to a holiday on this side of the pond. …
Biogen and Denali Therapeutics said Thursday that their experimental therapy for Parkinson’s disease failed to slow the degenerative brain disorder in a randomized trial, dealing a substantial blow to a scientific approach that stoked excitement among advocates and academics, STAT explains. In the study, 648 adults with Parkinson’s were randomized to receive either a placebo or a pill targeting a protein called LRRK2. In 2004, researchers discovered that mutations in the LRRK2 gene can cause a rare, inherited form of Parkinson’s. And in 2018, another group of scientists showed that blocking the protein might actually benefit all patients with the disease. The results are a significant setback to the latter idea.
Earlier this month, Genentech offered countless academics and other researchers up to $125,000 in grants to generate papers about several topics that read like key talking points for a trip to Capitol Hill, STAT reports. The company is seeking “rigorous, independent” work that focuses on the potential consequences of U.S. pricing policies on future innovation, the idea that pharmaceutical discovery is a strategic national asset, and the risks surrounding R&D, according to a request for proposals that came with a June 30 deadline for submissions. Such overtures are hardly new, but this particular solicitation appears notable partly because the company is being very direct about seeking research that is designed to address specific points, rather than solicit topics that may — or may not — dovetail with corporate goals.
The Download: coding’s future, the ‘Steroid Olympics,’ and AI-driven science
This is today’s edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what’s going on in the world of technology.
Anthropic’s Code with Claude showed off coding’s future—whether you like it or not
At Anthropic’s developer event in London this week, Code with Claude, attendees were asked if they’d shipped code written entirely by Claude. Almost half the room raised their hands. Many admitted they hadn’t even read the code before pushing it live.
As tools like Claude Code get better, more and more developers are happy to hand their work off to AI. Anthropic says it wants to push automation as far as it will go. But not everyone is convinced that’s the right approach.
Read the full story on how AI is reshaping coding for good.
—Will Douglas Heaven
The Enhanced Games fit right in with the rest of 2026’s longevity vibes
This Sunday, 42 athletes will gather in Las Vegas for the inaugural Enhanced Games, a controversial sporting competition that allows the use of performance-enhancing drugs. The goal? To “push the boundaries of human performance.”
The event embodies a zeitgeist of peptide-crazed looksmaxxing, where consumers are encouraged to get thinner than ever, optimize for longevity, and have their “best baby.” In 2026, if you’re not enhancing, what are you even doing?
Find out how the competition reflects our enhancement-obsessed era.
—Jessica Hamzelou
This story is from The Checkup, our weekly newsletter giving you the inside track on all things biotech. Sign up to receive it in your inbox every Thursday.
Google I/O showed how the path for AI-driven science is shifting
—Grace Huckins
During Tuesday’s Google I/O keynote, Demis Hassabis, the CEO of Google DeepMind, proclaimed that we are “standing in the foothills of the singularity.” But what struck me as I listened in the audience was the context in which he said those words.
The contrast reflects two directions for AI in science. One builds specialized systems like WeatherNext for specific problems. The other pushes toward agentic, LLM-based systems that could eventually execute cutting-edge research projects without human involvement.
The big scientific announcement at I/O was Gemini for Science, which leans further into this agent-driven future. It can still call on specialized systems, but Google appears to be transitioning away from them.
Here’s how the shift could affect science.
Can AI learn to understand the world?
Many leading AI researchers have turned their attention to a new kind of system that understands the physical environment: world models.
Backed by researchers at Google DeepMind, Fei-Fei Li’s World Labs, and Meta’s former Chief AI scientist, Yann LeCun, the idea is gaining serious momentum. Could it change how AI understands reality?
MIT Technology Review editor in chief Mat Honan, senior AI editor Will Douglas Heaven, and AI reporter Grace Huckins unpacked it all in an exclusive Roundtables discussion yesterday.
Subscribers can watch the full recording now.
World models are also one of MIT Technology Review’s 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, our list of what’s really worth your attention in the busy, buzzy world of AI.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the internet to find you today’s most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 Trump has postponed an AI order due to overregulation fears
He said he was concerned it would be “a blocker.” (CNBC)
+ And that he wants to preserve the US’s lead over China in AI. (Reuters $)
+ A source said the delay was because he “just hates regulation.” (Axios)
+ A war over regulation is coming to America. (MIT Technology Review)
2 OpenClaw’s engineers warn that a “vibe-coded slop” crisis is coming
They say AI is flooding the world with bad and even dangerous code. (WSJ $)
+ Now vibe coding is coming to your phone, too. (The Verge)
+ What exactly is vibe coding? (MIT Technology Review)
3 SpaceX has called off the launch of a new Starship prototype
Engineers discovered a ground system glitch. (CNBC)
+ They hope to try again tonight. (Ars Technica)
+ The launch could play a key role in SpaceX’s IPO. (NPR)
4 Meta has settled a school district’s social media addiction lawsuit
It had been sued over the alleged harm caused to students. (BBC)
+ Snap, TikTok, and YouTube have also settled with the district. (NYT $)
5 Bluesky says it’s being hacked by the Kremlin to spread propaganda
It’s fighting Russian efforts to hijack real users’ accounts to post. (NYT $)
+ Now is a good time for doing crime. (MIT Technology Review)
6 Africa’s biggest economies are pushing for AI sovereignty
They aim to reduce their dependence on Big Tech. (Rest of World)
+ New strategies could make Africa a major AI player. (MIT Technology Review)
7 Undersea cables threaten the Gulf’s AI expansion plans
Conflicts have put the fragile critical infrastructure at risk. (Wired $)
8 Waymo is pausing services as robotaxis keep driving into floods
It suspended services in four US cities. (TechCrunch)
9 Microscopic silica spheres may help cool the planet
But some researchers need further convincing. (The Economist $)
10 Spotify will now let subscribers create AI remixes
It’s the first time they can use AI to create content on Spotify. (Guardian)
Quote of the day
“You have AI — actual intelligence.”
—Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak reassures college graduates about AI’s impact and draws applause, in contrast to the boos received by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt earlier this week, Business Insider reports.
One More Thing
GETTY IMAGES
The future is disabled
Technologies for disability, access, and mobility are often portrayed as objects of empowerment or heroic, life-changing panaceas for social ills. But their benefits are often temporary, lopsided, or reliant on constant investment, care, and attention.
Often, accessibility tech assumes levels of access that don’t exist: reliable internet, smartphones, or affordable devices. Projects frequently overlook the very communities they claim to serve. Yet there’s another way: opening ourselves up to all-access thinking and disabled expertise.
Discover how that approach could create a more livable world for everyone.
—Ashley Shew
We can still have nice things
A place for comfort, fun, and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line.)
+ Treat your eyes to this magical footage of a lake floating above an ocean.
+ Test your visual recall with this clever game that recreates colors from memory.
+ Take back control of your internet with this dashboard that brings together your favourite social feeds.
+ Peer into the heart of a barred spiral galaxy in this stunning new capture from the James Webb Space Telescope.