Medical Bulletin 07/October/2026 - Video

Here are the top medical news for today:

Stanford Scientists Uncover Evidence Human Brain Is Made of Two Distinct Parts

A new Stanford Medicine study suggests that the human brain may have evolved from two separate nervous systems rather than developing as one continuous structure.

Published in Nature Neuroscience, the study found that the front and back regions of the brain arise from different groups of early cells during development. The finding may help explain brain evolution and difficulties producing some nerve cells in the laboratory.

Researchers studied developing mouse embryos and identified two distinct groups of early progenitor cells. One group eventually formed the forebrain and midbrain, regions involved in functions such as reasoning, language and consciousness. The other formed the hindbrain, which controls essential functions including breathing, heartbeat, swallowing, sleep and facial movements.

The researchers found evidence of the same developmental pattern in chickens and zebrafish. They also observed it in acorn worms, suggesting that the two-origin arrangement may have existed for more than 550 million years, rather than being a recent feature of the human brain.

The discovery also helped address a long-standing laboratory challenge. Using information about the different developmental origins, the researchers successfully produced functional human hindbrain motor neurons from stem cells. The cells displayed characteristics of hindbrain neurons and showed activity associated with muscles involved in facial movement and swallowing.

These findings could provide a new laboratory model for studying neurological disorders that damage motor neurons, including spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Such cells may help researchers study how these diseases affect movement, swallowing and breathing and support potential future treatment research in motor neuron disorders.

However, the findings are primarily developmental and laboratory-based. Laboratory-produced nerve cells are not currently a treatment.

Further research will be needed to determine whether these cells accurately model human disease or contribute to future therapies.

REFERENCE: Jokhai, R.T., Dundes, C.E., Ahsan, H.S. et al. Two parallel neural ectoderm progenitors contribute to the developing brain. Nat Neurosci (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41593-026-02433-7

New Study Investigates the Link Between High-Protein Diets and Kidney Health

High-protein diets may increase kidney workload, but effects on kidney health appear to depend on kidney function and diet quality, according to a review published in Nutrients.

Protein is essential for muscle maintenance. However, higher protein intake can temporarily increase glomerular filtration rate (GFR), a process known as hyperfiltration. This response may occur after a high-protein meal.

Animal studies suggest that prolonged excessive protein intake can stress the kidneys. In rodents, high-protein diets have been linked with hyperfiltration, proteinuria, enlargement of kidney structures, fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis. These effects were more severe in animals with reduced kidney mass or chronic kidney disease (CKD).

However, the researchers caution that these findings cannot be applied to humans because animals may receive much higher protein loads and have different metabolic responses.

Human evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest that higher intake of animal protein, particularly from processed and red meat, may be associated with greater CKD risk, while plant-based dietary patterns appear more favourable or neutral. However, these findings may reflect diet quality rather than protein source alone.

For people without CKD, higher protein intake has been associated with increased eGFR, consistent with hyperfiltration, but this does not necessarily indicate kidney damage. Evidence on whether high protein intake causes harm in healthy kidneys remains limited.

For people with CKD, the situation is different. Evidence suggests that moderate protein restriction may slow eGFR decline and CKD progression, although certainty remains low to moderate. At the same time, excessive restriction can increase the risk of muscle loss, in older adults.

The review supports an individualized approach to protein intake. People with CKD should have protein requirements tailored to kidney function, age, nutritional needs and disease stage rather than following a high- or low-protein diet without guidance.

REFERENCE: Jacuńska, J., Bruciak, A., Wilk, J., et al. (2026). High-Protein Intake Impact on Human and Animal Kidney Function Across the Lifespan: Clinical Evidence and Emerging Concepts. Nutrients 18(19); 3209. DOI: 10.3390/nu18193209.

New Study Reveals Possible Protective Role of Statins Against Glaucoma

Statin use is associated with a lower risk of developing glaucoma and may also be linked to slower disease progression, according to a study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness caused by damage to the optic nerve. Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol, but may also have neuroprotective effects that could help protect nerve cells.

Researchers analysed a global health database containing records for about 165 million people. They compared more than 210,000 people who had used statins between August 2006 and August 2026 with a matched group of more than 210,000 people without recorded statin use. All participants had ophthalmological follow-up.

During five years of follow-up, 2.3% of statin users developed open-angle glaucoma, compared with 2.6% of controls. Overall, statin use was associated with a 15% lower risk of developing the disease.

The researchers also examined more than 30,000 people with glaucoma who were taking statins and compared them with almost 250,000 people with glaucoma who were not using statins.

Statin use was associated with lower risks of treatment escalation. At five years, users had a 36% lower risk of incisional glaucoma surgery, a 55% lower risk of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery and a 60% lower risk of selective laser trabeculoplasty. They also had a 12% lower risk of requiring pressure-lowering eye drops.

These associations remained after 10 years of follow-up.

However, the study was observational and cannot establish that statins prevent glaucoma or slow its progression. Researchers lacked detailed data on intraocular pressure, treatment adherence and reasons for surgery.

The findings also add to evidence suggesting possible neuroprotective effects of statins. Prospective randomised trials are needed to determine whether statin treatment can directly reduce glaucoma risk or disease progression.

REFERENCE: Forest Lin, et al.; Statin use is associated with lower risk of open-angle glaucoma incidence and treatment escalation; British Journal of Ophthalmology; 2026; doi:10.1136/bjo-2026-330339

New Study Shows What Happens Inside the Body During Seven Days of Fasting

A seven-day fast can trigger molecular changes across the body, with many notable effects appearing only after about three days without calories, according to a study published in Nature Metabolism.

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences studied 12 volunteers who completed seven days of fasting. Blood samples were collected before, during and after the fast, allowing researchers to track changes in about 3,000 proteins.

Participants shifted from using glucose towards stored fat as an energy source during the first two to three days. They lost an average of 5.7 kilograms, including both fat and lean mass.

However, the most substantial changes appeared around day three. About one-third of the proteins measured changed significantly during the fasting period, with alterations involving multiple organs and biological systems.

Some changes were linked to processes beyond energy metabolism and could not be explained by weight loss alone. Researchers identified changes in proteins associated with neuronal structures, suggesting that prolonged fasting may influence processes involving the brain and nervous system.

After participants resumed eating, most of the lost lean mass returned within three days, while some reduction in fat mass remained.

The researchers said the findings provide evidence that fasting may have biological effects extending beyond weight reduction. However, the study does not establish that these changes are beneficial or translate into improved health outcomes.

Importantly, the findings relate to prolonged, complete calorie restriction and should not be assumed to apply to shorter fasting patterns such as intermittent fasting.

The study provides a molecular map of how the body adapts to fasting. Further research is needed to determine which changes are beneficial and whether fasting-related pathways can eventually be targeted through treatments without requiring prolonged food restriction.

REFERENCE: Maik Pietzner et al.; Systemic proteome adaptions to 7-day complete caloric restriction in humans. Nature Metabolism, 2024; 6 (4): 764 DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01008-9

Women With Pregnancy Complications Face Higher Heart and Kidney Disease Risk: Study

Women who experience pregnancy complications may face a higher risk of developing heart, metabolic and kidney conditions in later years, according to a large UK study published in BMJ Medicine.

Researchers analysed primary care and hospital records for more than 1.4 million women who had been pregnant between 2000 and 2022. Participants were followed for an average of four years to assess later development of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and chronic kidney disease.

Gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia were associated with more than three times the rate of hypertension later in life and about twice the rate of chronic kidney disease. They were also linked to smaller increases in cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes showed the strongest association with future type 2 diabetes, with women experiencing about seven times the rate of the condition. It was also associated with higher rates of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

The researchers identified associations involving other pregnancy complications for which evidence has been more limited. Postnatal depression after the latest pregnancy was associated with a 35% to 56% higher rate of the four cardiometabolic-renal conditions.

Miscarriage, stillbirth, placental abruption and preterm birth were also associated with modestly higher rates of one or more outcomes. Having a baby who was small or large for gestational age was similarly linked to an increased risk of at least one condition.

Importantly, the study was observational and cannot establish that pregnancy complications directly cause later disease. Instead, these complications may act as markers of underlying cardiometabolic or renal risk.

The researchers suggest that taking a complete reproductive history during postnatal care could help identify women who may benefit from earlier risk assessment and preventive strategies.

REFERENCE: Steven Wambua, et al.; Pregnancy complications and risk of cardiometabolic-renal conditions in 1.4 million women in England: longitudinal study; BMJ Medicine; 2026; doi:10.1136/bmjmed-2026-003035