NIH discontent, hearing loss, dementia, AI

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Good morning, and happy Friday! Today’s the last day you’ll hear from me for a couple weeks. I’m taking off on a big trip with some of my best friends. But don’t worry, you’ll be in good hands with a cast of STAT reporters while I’m away.

Leave me tips, notes, and encouragement for when I get back: [email protected]

Filling in the blanks on Trump’s AI plans

On one of his first days in office, President Trump issued a seven-paragraph order that was short on detail but long on its promise to use AI to advance America’s economic interests. Earlier this month, the Office of Management and Budget filled in the blanks with new memos that lay out how and where Trump’s government will differ in its use of AI.

The memos offer a stark contrast in approaches. Across 38 pages, the memos focus on rescinding prior directives issued under from President Biden and emphasizing the need to take a “forward-leaning” and “pro-innovation” approach to the use of AI. Read more from Casey Ross and Brittany Trang, who break down all the ways Trump is charting a different course for AI. 

BCI device clears regulatory hurdle

The brain-computer interface industry took an important step forward Thursday. Precision Neuroscience announced it has received FDA 510(k) clearance to use its electrode array — which records, monitors and stimulates electrical activity on the brain’s surface — for up to 30 days instead of several hours.

BCI technology has teased promising results for people with disabilities in recent years, especially for converting neural activity into speech and movement. While Precision is still years from debuting this device on the market, neurotechnology experts say the clearance bodes well for them and other BCI companies.

“This clearance is also a significant step in proving that our array — the core component of our BCI system — is safe for patients,” said Benjamin Rapoport, a neurosurgeon and the Precision’s founder and CEO. “It’s an incredibly exciting regulatory milestone for the company and the field of neuroscience.” — O. Rose Broderick

What’s in a name?

Taylor Coffman can tell you exactly what her rare disease did to her. After giving birth to a healthy baby girl in 2022, her kidneys failed, almost killing her. What’s harder to explain, she writes in a new First Opinion essay, is what her rare disease is called. When she left the hospital, she was told she had atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, or aHUS. But there’s also a movement to call it complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy, or Cm-TMA.

“As someone with this lifelong condition who works in advocacy, the decisions around the name affect me directly,” Coffman writes. “The name of this disease is a life and death matter.” Read more on why.

Growing signs of discontent — and resistance — within NIH

The NIH has been rocked by turmoil during the first two months of the Trump administration, and there are growing signs employees within the agency’s walls are looking for ways to resist. An internal email sent to staffers on Thursday and obtained by STAT noted that “NIH has seen a recent uptick in incidents of vandalism and destruction of federal property.” The message went on to say that defacing federal portraits, sticking bumper stickers on walls, and similar activities could cause staff to be fired and face criminal action.

A photo obtained by STAT offers a potential example of what the agency is talking about. The image shows a print-out of American historian Timothy Snyder’s 20 lessons for fighting tyranny attached to the inside of a bathroom stall. “Do not obey in advance,” “defend institutions,” and “remember professional ethics” the notice urges NIH staffers, right below a reminder to flush.

Despite the show of resistance, it’s clear some employees’ resolve to stick around is eroding. Case in point: The NIH staffer who shared this image with STAT is now planning to leave the agency. “Trying to live to fight another day,” they wrote. — Jonathan Wosen

What did you say? (I said hearing loss affects dementia)

It’s generally understood among scientists that hearing loss is a risk factor for dementia. But what’s less clear is exactly how often cases of dementia can be attributed to hearing loss — previous research has estimated anywhere from 2% to 19% of cases. A new study, published yesterday in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, found that up to 32% of new cases of dementia over eight years could be attributable to hearing loss that’s confirmed through clinical testing. 

The study included almost 3,000 participants ages 66 to 90 in Mississippi, North Carolina, Minnesota, and Maryland communities, all of whom either had hearing loss tested “objectively” with an audiometric test or “subjectively,” meaning they self-reported it. (Relying on self-reporting underestimated the prevalence of hearing loss, and so was not associated with a higher risk for dementia.) The results suggest that treating hearing loss could delay dementia for a large number of older adults, the authors write.

‘Get in luddite, we’re going gene editing’

You know He Jiankui — he’s the infamous Chinese scientist who performed a series of secretive, questionable genetic experiments that resulted in the birth of three CRISPR’d children and a three year prison sentence for “illegal medical practices.” Last year, STAT’s Megan Molteni spoke with He about his struggles to regain a foothold in the scientific community and the support he later received from a U.S. cryptocurrency entrepreneur.

This year, it appears that part of his comeback plan includes trying to go viral on X. “Get in luddite, we’re going gene editing,” a post from yesterday reads, with a picture of He in the driver’s seat of a car, looking over his shoulder Regina-George-style. Scrolling down, it’s hard to pick which posts to highlight: “Good morning bitches. How many embryos have you gene edited today?” Or: “Stop asking for cat girls, I’m trying to cure disease,” followed hours later by “Meow >:).” Most posts are accompanied by a stock photo-like image of He in a clean, vacant lab or office space. 

It’s all so eccentric that some people have begun to question if the (verified) account is still run by He himself. Journalist Antonio Regalado reached out via email to confirm, prompting the account to post a screenshot of the email with a caption about how “some random journalist wanted proof of life.” Regalado still seems to believe the account is not written by He. What do you think?

What we’re reading

• If Trump doesn’t fix this blunder, ‘People would die in their homes,’ Mother Jones

• RFK Jr calls autism an ‘epidemic’ and a tragedy. As an autistic journalist, I have some comments, The Independent

• Five priorities to remake the FDA in a time of deep uncertainty, STAT
• FDA making plans to end its routine food safety inspections, sources say, CBS News
• Health care industry, worried millions could lose ACA insurance, pushes for Trump to delay changes, STAT