NIH sets new rules for foreign research collaborations; ACC issues new vaccine guidance for adults with heart disease; could eye exams flag Alzheimer’s decades early? – Morning Medical Update

NIH sets new rules for foreign research collaborations

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced new principles to govern its international research partnerships, emphasizing that taxpayer-funded projects abroad must have a clear rationale for being conducted outside of the U.S. and must directly benefit American health. The policy, outlined by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., stresses accountability, transparency in funding and safeguards against misuse of resources, while reaffirming that global collaboration can drive scientific progress, but must also deliver value to U.S. taxpayers.

ACC issues new vaccine guidance for adults with heart disease

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) released new guidance urging adults with heart disease to stay up to date on vaccines for flu, COVID-19, RSV, pneumonia and shingles, citing strong evidence that immunization lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and cardiovascular events. Published in JACC, the statement consolidates recommendations from the CDC and prior ACC/AHA guidelines, while also encouraging cardiologists to integrate vaccine counseling into routine care to overcome low uptake rates. Patient Care Online has more.

Could eye exams flag Alzheimer’s risk decades early?

New research from The Jackson Laboratory strengthens evidence that retinal health may provide an early warning for dementia. In Alzheimer’s & Dementia, scientists report that mice carrying a common genetic mutation linked to Alzheimer’s showed twisted, swollen retinal blood vessels that mirrored vascular changes in the brain. Because the retina is essentially an accessible extension of the brain, the findings suggest routine eye exams could one day reveal dementia risk 20 years before symptoms appear, opening a new window for early intervention.