JAMA
Audio Summaries

Tenecteplase Before Thrombectomy at 4.5 to 24 Hours for Basilar Artery Occlusion: The ATTENTION LATE Randomized Clinical Trial

Sep 23, 2026

The study aimed to determine whether intravenous tenecteplase administered before endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) improves outcomes in patients with moderate to severe basilar artery occlusion presenting 4.5 to 24 hours after stroke onset. The findings revealed no significant difference in functional independence or safety outcomes between the tenecteplase plus EVT group and the EVT alone group, suggesting that the addition of tenecteplase does not enhance recovery in this patient population.

Vaccines for Cancer: A Translational Science Review

Sep 21, 2026

This review examines the advancements in cancer vaccine development, driven by improved understanding of tumor immunology and vaccine technology, and aims to assess the potential of these vaccines in treating various cancers. The authors highlight the mechanisms of action, types of antigens used, and the integration of cancer vaccines with other therapies, while also noting the generally mild adverse effects associated with these vaccines. Ultimately, the review emphasizes the ongoing clinical trials exploring the role of cancer vaccines in both treatment and primary prevention of cancer.

Medicare Advantage Enrollment and Access to Kidney Transplant After the 21st Century Cures Act

Sep 21, 2026

This study aimed to compare kidney transplant and wait-listing rates between Medicare Advantage and traditional Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) following the 21st Century Cures Act. The findings revealed that Medicare Advantage enrollees had significantly lower rates of both kidney transplants and incident wait-listing compared to those in traditional Medicare, highlighting potential disparities in access to this critical treatment. The authors suggest that policy oversight may be necessary to ensure equitable access to kidney transplants for the growing Medicare Advantage population.

Intrauterine Mepivacaine Instillation vs Placebo for Pain During IUD Placement: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Sep 17, 2026

This study aimed to determine whether intrauterine instillation of mepivacaine reduces pain during IUD placement in nulliparous individuals. The results showed that mepivacaine significantly decreased pain scores compared to a placebo, with 98.3% of participants in the mepivacaine group reporting tolerable pain, indicating that this local anesthetic may enhance the procedural experience for patients.

Revascularization of Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis: Cognitive Results of the CREST-2 Randomized Trials

Sep 16, 2026

The study aimed to determine whether carotid revascularization (either carotid artery stenting or carotid endarterectomy) improves cognitive function in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis compared to intensive medical management alone. The results indicated no significant differences in cognitive performance between the revascularization groups and the medical management group over a follow-up period of up to four years. Thus, the findings suggest that revascularization does not lead to cognitive improvement in this patient population.

Revascularization in Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis With Hemodynamic Impairment and Cognitive Outcomes: The CREST-H Substudy of the CREST-2 Randomized Clinical Trial

Sep 16, 2026

The study aimed to determine whether revascularization of high-grade, asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis could improve cognitive function in patients with varying degrees of baseline cerebral hemodynamic impairment. The findings indicated no significant cognitive benefit from revascularization compared to intensive medical management alone over one year, suggesting that restoring blood flow does not alleviate cognitive dysfunction in this patient population.

Adoption of Adjunctive Azithromycin for Unscheduled Cesarean Delivery and Postpartum Infections

Sep 14, 2026

The authors aimed to assess the adoption of adjunctive azithromycin in clinical practice for unscheduled cesarean deliveries and its impact on postpartum infection rates following the publication of trial evidence in 2016. Their analysis revealed a significant increase in azithromycin administration during cesarean births and a corresponding decrease in postpartum infection rates among US pregnant individuals from 2017 to 2024. This suggests that the trial findings have been effectively integrated into clinical practice, leading to improved outcomes for patients undergoing unscheduled cesarean deliveries.

Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Review

Sep 14, 2026

This review examines idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH), a neurological disorder prevalent in older adults, characterized by gait impairment, cognitive decline, and urinary dysfunction. The authors aim to clarify the diagnosis and treatment of iNPH, highlighting the importance of early detection and the efficacy of cerebrospinal fluid diversion through shunt placement, which leads to significant symptom improvement in many patients.

Rheumatoid Arthritis in Adults: A Review

Sep 10, 2026

The authors review the current understanding and management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic autoimmune disease that leads to joint destruction and disability. They emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and initiation of treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), particularly methotrexate, to achieve significant improvement in disease activity. For patients who do not reach remission with first-line therapies, the addition of biological DMARDs or Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors can enhance remission rates to approximately 80%.

Loberamisal for Acute Ischemic Stroke: The LAIS Randomized Clinical Trial

Sep 10, 2026

The LAIS trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous loberamisal in improving functional outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke treated within 48 hours of symptom onset. The results indicated that loberamisal significantly increased the proportion of patients achieving favorable functional outcomes at 90 days compared to placebo, suggesting its potential as a neuroprotective therapy. However, further research is necessary to confirm these findings and assess their applicability to a wider patient population.