1: A New Player in Early Parkinson’s Treatment?

A Phase 3 RCT found that oral tavapadon can safely improve motor function in patients with early Parkinson’s disease. Both 5 mg and 15 mg doses of the selective D1/D5 agonist showed significant improvement in MDS-UPDRS scores after 26 weeks compared to placebo. Adverse events were limited to nausea, headache, and dizziness, suggesting tavapadon may be a promising option in early PD therapy.

2: Muscle Strength as a Marker of Longevity

A cohort study examined associations between muscular strength and mortality in over 5,400 women aged 63 to 99 years. Stronger dominant hand grip strength and faster completion of 5 unassisted chair stands were linked with lower mortality, even among those not meeting guideline-recommended activity levels. These findings remained consistent after adjusting for age, lifestyle, and clinical factors, highlighting the role of strength in healthy aging.

3: Quieting Tinnitus 1 Click at a Time

Follow-up of a non-randomized clinical trial evaluating guided online cognitive behavioural therapy for tinnitus examined the long-term effects of the intervention. In 49 individuals, internet-based CBT reduced tinnitus distress over a 6-year follow-up period and improved anxiety, depression, insomnia, and life satisfaction. These findings suggest this approach may offer sustained symptom relief while reducing the resources required to deliver care.

A Holistic Approach to Atopic Dermatitis in Diverse Populations

When a patient’s atopic dermatitis (AD) isn't clearing up, it’s easy to assume the prescription isn't strong enough — but often, the real culprit is a broken skin barrier. Since AD affects up to 10% of adults (with higher severity in skin of colour), a one-size-fits-all approach usually misses the mark.

In this quick 15-minute course, experts like Dr. Sandy Skotnicki and Dr. Naomi Pliamm break down how to bridge the gap between pharmacotherapy and daily skincare. It’s a case-based look at using ceramide-containing formulations to actually repair the foundation, helping you give better, more practical advice to your diverse patient panel.

Teens diagnosed with ADHD deal with more than just hyperactivity

What happened: Teenagers experiencing ADHD symptoms are more likely to struggle with anxiety and depression, according to a new study.

Why it matters: In Canada, up to 9% of children and adolescents are estimated to have ADHD — a prevalence that highlights the urgent need for better long-term insights. To address this, a new study followed over 5,000 children aged 11, 14, and 17, specifically examining how ADHD symptoms correlate with broader mental health outcomes, including behavioural challenges and the impact of parental mental illness.

Researchers found a “small but significant link” between low self-esteem, parental mental health challenges, and poorer mental health in children with ADHD symptoms. This suggests that multiple factors may be working together to exacerbate emotional issues during adolescence. These findings could pave the way for more personalized, targeted support systems for these youth. Many kids with ADHD struggle with discipline issues at school and home — behaviour that is often mislabelled as “bad.” They’re frequently told to “try harder” and “listen better,” and over time, those messages can take a significant toll on their self-esteem.

To better support kids with an ADHD diagnosis, a child psychiatrist suggests that parents — especially those managing their own mental health challenges — actively get involved with their children. Recognizing that parents living with depression or anxiety already have a lot on their plates, the expert recommends strategies like creating consistent routines, using positive reinforcement, and establishing a structured environment to help children thrive both at school and at home.

But: The study identified distinct clinical differences between boys and girls. Girls with ADHD seem to experience more significant interpersonal challenges, which frequently escalate into anxiety and depression during adolescence. They also tend to internalize their symptoms, which often leads to a delayed diagnosis. In contrast, boys are more prone to externalizing ADHD symptoms, such as blurting out answers in class or hyperactivity. These findings suggest that clinicians may need to tailor support strategies based on gender-specific presentations.

Bottom line: For children and teens living with ADHD, this research doesn’t just validate their experience; it opens the door to care that is designed to help them thrive as they enter adulthood. The study can help doctors and parents catch crises before they start. 

1: 🧠 Scientists have discovered a hidden "death switch" in the brain that may help drive Alzheimer's disease. A team in Germany identified a toxic pairing of 2 proteins (NMDAR and TRPM4) that forms a "death complex," triggering neuron loss and memory decline. Using a new compound FP802 to break apart this deadly duo, researchers slowed disease progression and reduced amyloid buildup in mice. Human trials are still far off, but this discovery represents a shift: instead of removing plaques, this treatment would block the cellular mechanism that actually kills brain cells.

2: 📉 Surging oil prices could hit your daily commute… and your favourite chatbot. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East pushing Brent crude as high as $119 a barrel, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is warning this could "crimp" energy-hungry data centres — a.k.a. the fuel for the AI revolution. Sector growth and global trade might hit a wall for AI (last year’s global economy MVP) if these energy costs stay high, the WTO warned. It’s a stark reminder that even the virtual world remains deeply tethered to a physical barrel of oil.

3: 🗂️ Ontario is taking another crack at integrated electronic medical records. Officials have already reached out to potential vendors, exploring how to connect patient data across hospitals, labs, and clinics. It’s been more than a provincial goal: since the early 2000s, past efforts totalled billions (including the eHealth project), with little to show for it. There’s still no public cost estimate or timeline, leaving critics skeptical. Is Ontario headed for a seamless rollout, or another eHealth scandal?

4: 💊 Black Canadians are significantly less likely to fill prescriptions due to cost, according to new research in CMAJ. The study found that Black adults are nearly twice as likely to skip doses or leave prescriptions unfilled compared to white adults. While the research highlights lower rates of insurance coverage, it also found the disparity persists even when income and insurance are equal. Researchers suggest that beyond financial barriers, a deep-seated distrust of the healthcare system — driven by systemic racism — is preventing patients from accessing medication.

2.3x: the metabolic surge seen in mice treated with a molecule found in python blood. Researchers say the compound mimics how snakes bulk up after a meal — triggering fat-burning and healthy heart growth without the side effects of current weight-loss drugs. A potential rival to GLP-1s, patented by Slytherin.

3.5%: the average yearly increase in medically treated self-harm among Canadians aged 24 and under between 2000 and 2024 — more than doubling over the study period. The rise is steeper in girls (3.6% annually vs. 1.2% in boys), and likely undercounts the true burden, with many cases never reaching care.

$300K: the potential fine Manitoba is proposing for companies that use personal data to charge different prices to different customers. The bill targets “algorithmic pricing,” where factors like browsing history or location shape what you pay — a practice lawmakers say is turning pricing into a black box.

67%: the share of Canadians who think tipping culture should be abolished entirely, according to an H&R Block survey. The data suggests “tip fatigue” has hit a breaking point, with 93% of respondents annoyed by gratuity prompts at fast-food counters and self-serve kiosks. Seems the scale has tipped from courtesy over to surcharge.

🐰 Buy: the ultimate Easter basket cheat sheet. This list handpicks 40 essentials for 2026, balancing must-haves like Reese’s Eggs with smart picks like mess-free egg decorators and LEGO Creator sets.

📖 Read: why night owls may outperform early risers. While “morning larks” are often praised for discipline, new research suggests evening types may have the edge in cognitive performance.

🧠 Debate: the med school home-buying dilemma. This Reddit thread has readers split on whether buying a house during med school is a smart investment — or a financial trap.

🍳 Make: authentic Japanese dashi. This cornerstone of Japanese cooking — made from just kombu and bonito flakes — delivers deep umami for everything from miso soup to noodle broths.

🧩 Solve: this puzzle about 100 green-eyed logicians imprisoned by a mad dictator. Their only hope for freedom lies in the answer to 1 famously difficult logic puzzle. Can you solve it?

Last week, we asked whether you support lowering the provincial colorectal screening age to 45. Our knowledgeable readers shared plenty of feedback — here are the results and key comments from the community.

First clue: It's worldwide?

Need a rematch? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Crossword Archive to find every puzzle we’ve ever made, all in one place.

Think you crushed it? Challenge your physician friends to beat your time.

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