Latest publications from the Faculty of Medicine

• Johansen, Anna Torp; Reneflot, Anne; Hem, Erlend; Aakhus, Eivind; Øien-Ødegaard, Carine & Stene-Larsen, Kim [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2027). Mental healthcare contact and diagnoses prior to suicide among older adults in Norway: A register-based nested case–control study. Journal of Affective Disorders. ISSN 0165-0327. 417, p. 122637–122637. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2026.122637. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Suicide is a global public health concern, with the highest rates among older males in most countries. Access to mental healthcare is central to suicide prevention. This study examined mental healthcare contact among older adults who died by suicide compared with controls from the general population. Methods: Using Norwegian national health and administrative registries, we conducted a nested case-control study of individuals aged 60 and older who died by suicide between 2009 and 2021. Cases were matched on age and sex to controls from the general population. Mental healthcare contact and sociodemographic characteristics were described for cases and controls, and mental health diagnosis of cases in contact with mental healthcare services. Results: A substantial proportion of older adults who died by suicide (N = 2002) had prior mental healthcare contact. Specialized mental healthcare contact decreased with age and was more common among females than males (60-69: 50% vs. 38%; 70-79: 42% vs. 22%; 80+: 33% vs. 13%). Primary mental healthcare contact showed small sex differences and remained relatively stable (24-30%) across age. Depression or depressive symptoms were common among cases in both specialized (35%) and primary care (36%). Among those without mental health contact, cases more often were males, never married, and living alone than controls. Conclusion: Older adults who died by suicide received care across multiple healthcare levels and were often diagnosed with depressive symptoms, highlighting the need for prevention and treatment across mental healthcare settings. Improving prevention strategies, particularly among older males, may strengthen suicide prevention in later life.

• Hughes, Carla Louise & Qin, Ping (2027). Suicide risk in relation to socioeconomic and occupational disadvantage in middle- and old-aged men – A national register-based study. Journal of Affective Disorders. ISSN 0165-0327. 416, p. 122564–122564. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2026.122564. Full text in Research Archive
• Nordenfelt, Lennart & Hofmann, Bjørn Morten (2027). Dignity. In Nesi, Hilary & Milin, Petar (Ed.), Reference Module in Social Sciences. Elsevier. ISSN 9780443157851. p. 1–7. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-443-15715-8.00018-2. Full text in Research Archive
• Kvarstein, Elfrida Hartveit; Langjord, Tuva; Bovim, Tone Helene; Christensen, Tore Buer; Eikenæs, Ingeborg Helene Ulltveit-Moe & Hove, Oddbjørn [Show all 15 contributors for this article] (2026). Possible drivers of self-harm severity - relative contributions of post-traumatic stress and levels of personality functioning – results from the Extreme Challenges project. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 17, p. 1–14. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1911977.
• Fosstveit, Sindre Herskedal; Western, Benedikte; Rooij, Belle H. de; Ezendam, Nicole P.M.; Berntsen, Sveinung & Demmelmaier, Ingrid [Show all 11 contributors for this article] (2026). Self-management dimensions associated with physical activity participation among gynecological cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study from the international InCHARGE consortium. BMC Women's Health. 26. doi: 10.1186/s12905-026-04722-6. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Physical activity (PA) participation is associated with improved outcomes among gynecological cancer survivors and can serve as an effective component of self-management. However, little is known about which self-management dimensions best support PA participation in gynecological cancer survivors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess associations between different self-management dimensions and self-reported PA participation among gynecological cancer survivors. Methods The analyses were conducted as part of the InCHARGE study, a multicenter, cross-sectional study of gynecological cancer survivors (n = 1433) in the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark. Associations between seven self-management scales from the Health Education Impact Questionnaire (HeiQ) version 3 and PA as measured by the HeiQ Health Directed Activity scale were assessed. Unstandardized regression coefficients from the models adjusted for participant characteristics were reported. Results Across endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer survivors, Positive and Active Engagement in Life (β = 0.66, 0.70, 0.74, respectively) and Self-Monitoring and Insight (β = 0.73, 0.61, 0.66, respectively) were associated with PA participation (p < 0.001). Conclusions The present study findings indicate that self-management skills related to Positive and Active Engagement in Life and Self-Monitoring and Insight should be further assessed as intervention targets to improve PA levels in gynecological cancer survivors.

• Vukovic, Marta; Nordtveit, Siri; Skodvin, Brita; Nezvalova-Henriksen, Katerina; Blix, Hege Salvesen & Wathne, Jannicke Slettli [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Gentamicin and antibiotic use in Norwegian hospitals: a study from 35 point-prevalence surveys, 2015 to 2023. Eurosurveillance. ISSN 1025-496X. 31(42). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.42.2500969.
• Harvey, Joshua; Imm, Jennifer; Kouhsar, Morteza; Smith, Adam R.; Creese, Byron & Smith, Rebecca G. [Show all 28 contributors for this article] (2026). Interrogating DNA methylation associated with Lewy body pathology in a cross brain-region and multi-cohort study. Nature Communications. 17(1). doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-77009-x. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Here, we conduct a large meta-analysis of DNA methylation across multiple cortical brain regions, in relation to increasing burden of Lewy body pathology. Utilizing a dataset of 1205 samples (832 unique donors), we identify 24 false discovery rate significant differentially methylated loci associated with Lewy body pathology, with loci located in UBASH3B and PTAFR, and an intergenic locus passing the genome-wide significance threshold. Ontological enrichment analysis highlights several neurologically relevant traits, including synaptic alterations. We compare methylation signatures between neurodegenerative pathologies and highlight a shared epigenetic profile across Lewy body, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s diseases, although the top-ranked loci show disease specificity. Utilizing summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies, we identify significant enrichment of DNA methylation differences with respect to increasing Lewy body pathology in the SNCA genomic region. We also identify specific relationships between genetic risk variants for Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease to methylation quantitative trait loci in the SNCA 5’ region and expression of alternative transcript isoforms.

• Bruno, Jolie; Xuejuan, Jin; Xu, Yamei; Basile, Christian; Berge, Kristian & Ambrosy, Andrew P. [Show all 19 contributors for this article] (2026). Short-term survival of dual SGLT2i-MRA and four-class guideline-directed medical therapy in acute heart failure. European Journal of Heart Failure. ISSN 1388-9842. 28(4), p. 738–749. doi: 10.1093/ejhf/xuag218.
• Fossmo, Hanne Ludt; Robinson, Hilde Stendal; Bjåstad, Karianne Grûner; Varhaug, Kristin Nielsen; Frich, Jan C & Ørstavik, Kristin (2026). Muscle Strength and Outcome Measures for Upper Limb Function in Adults With Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1: A Cross-Sectional Study. European Journal of Neurology. ISSN 1351-5101. 33(11). doi: 10.1111/ene.70799. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Myotonic dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) is a multisystem neuromuscular disorder with progressive distal and proximal weakness, including in the upper limbs. Limited research has been conducted on hand function and outcome measures. Methods: Eighty nine adult DM1 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The study describes upper limb strength and function and examines associations between motor impairments and clinical outcome measures, including comparing strength measurement methods. Disease severity was classified with the muscular impairment rating scale (MIRS) and the Brooke upper extremity scale was used as a classification scale of upper limb function. Muscle strength was measured using handheld dynamometers, and fine motor function with the Nine-Hole Peg Test and Nut and Bolt task. Upper limb function was rated with the Revised Upper Limb Module and global motor function with the Motor Function Measure 32. Patient-reported outcome measures included ABILHAND-NMD, ACTIVLIM, and the Myotonia behavior scale. Results: Participants showed a wide spectrum of motor impairment from minimal distal to severe proximal weakness. Strength measures correlated significantly with functional tests, while PROMs reflected perceived limitations but showed ceiling effects. Disease duration correlated with muscle strength and upper limb function, while age and subtype were less important. Myotonia severity showed only weak correlation with functional outcomes. Conclusion: No single measure fully captures upper limb function in DM1. A combination of strength testing, dexterity tasks, and PROMs provides a multidimensional assessment framework. Muscle strength assessment remains essential, and these findings support integrating multiple standardized measures for clinical trial endpoints and therapeutic evaluation in DM1.

• Sailer, Uta; Abra, Yasemin; Sun, Wenhan & Fairhurst, Merle Theresa (2026). Disentangling Touch Aversion: A Systematic Investigation of Measurement Approaches, Behavioural Correlates, and Underlying Individual Differences. Journal of nonverbal behavior. ISSN 0191-5886. doi: 10.1007/s10919-026-00526-2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Touch aversion and touch avoidance—negative attitudes toward and behavioural avoidance of physical contact—vary considerably across individuals and relationship contexts. However, the factors underlying these differences remain poorly understood. This observational study systematically investigated the relationships between different measures of touch aversion, their behavioural manifestations, and associated individual traits. We examined touch aversion using multiple questionnaires (Touch Avoidance Questionnaire, Social Touch Questionnaire, and a novel Receptivity measure), alongside behavioural measures of touchability (body accessibility) and discomfort distance preferences. Individual difference measures included autistic traits, sensory sensitivity, threat sensitivity, and attachment style. Results revealed both convergent validity and distinctions between touch aversion measures. Whereas most measures showed intercorrelations, partner-specific touch aversion represented a distinct dimension. Contrary to expectations, discomfort distance preferences were unrelated to touch aversion measures. However, touchability showed meaningful associations with touch attitudes, with relationship-specific patterns. Partner touch aversion was more strongly related to touchability with loved ones, whereas stranger touch aversion was more strongly related to touchability with strangers. Among the individual traits, sensory sensitivity was related to partner touch aversion, and threat sensitivity was related to both stranger touch aversion and general negative attitudes toward touch. In addition, sensory sensitivity mediated the relationship between threat sensitivity and stranger touch aversion, suggesting these psychological processes work together rather than independently. These findings highlight the importance of considering relationship context when studying touch preferences and suggest that threat-related processing may be a key factor in individual differences in touch aversion.

• Pettersen, Johanne Hagen; Barker, Mary M; Christoffersen, Lea Arregui Nordahl; Johnson, Sverre Urnes; Kõiv, Kadri & Magnusdottir, Ingibjörg [Show all 44 contributors for this article] (2026). Cohort Profile Update: COVIDMENT: COVID-19 cohorts on mental health across six nations. International Journal of Epidemiology. ISSN 0300-5771. 55(6). doi: 10.1093/ije/dyag233. Full text in Research Archive
• Svendsen, Karianne; Nes, Lise Solberg; Leithe, Sigrid; Meland, Anders; Gjelsvik, Ylva Maria & Børøsund, Elin [Show all 16 contributors for this article] (2026). Effects of digital stress-management interventions in breast cancer patients 18 months after intervention access. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. ISSN 0167-6806. 220. doi: 10.1007/s10549-026-08117-x. Full text in Research Archive
• Meltzer, Helle Margrete; Christensen, Jacob J. & Ydersbond, Trond Arild (2026). Kostrådet for rødt kjøtt: implikasjoner for matproduksjonen i Norge. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. 24(3), p. 168–176. doi: 10.18261/ntfe.24.3.4. Full text in Research Archive
• Signorelli, Letizia; Korchynska, Solomiia; Ortiz, Cantin; Arena, Alessandro; Wilhelm, Sophia Anna & Boccara, Charlotte (2026). Nyx: a flexible framework for sleep scoring across species, lifespan and modalities. bioRxiv - the preprint server for biology. doi: 10.64898/2026.07.24.740558. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Sleep is a key factor in almost every physiological process, yet scoring tools lag behind innovations in basic to clinical research. New automated algorithms are trained on narrow datasets, typically healthy adult mouse or human, and fail to generalise, leaving labs to fall back on slow, laborious, and often poorly reproducible manual scoring. Here we introduce Nyx, an unsupervised framework built on principal component analysis that flexibly clusters epochs into sleep states, akin to how spike-sorting algorithms cluster single-neuron activity. Validated on about 8,000 hours spanning 19 independent datasets, it generalises across species, lifespan, recording modalities, and altered sleep architectures, matching human inter-scorer agreement. Beyond this, Nyx opens new ground for modern sleep research: classifying NREM subtypes in rodents, revealing states that cut across canonical boundaries in non-mammalian species, and enabling real-time, closed-loop manipulation. Distributed as an open-source package with a graphical user interface, Nyx offers an accessible, explainable framework built to scale with the pace of innovation itself.

• Onwuka, Justina Ucheojor; Nobels, Marie‐Pierre; Kreimer, Aimée R.; Schroeder, Lea; Ferreiro‐Iglesias, Aida & Agalliu, Ilir [Show all 29 contributors for this article] (2026). Comparison of HPV Antibodies Measured Prior to Diagnosis of Anal, Cervical, Oropharyngeal, Penile and Vaginal Cancers in the HPV Cancer Cohort Consortium. International Journal of Cancer. ISSN 0020-7136. doi: 10.1002/ijc.70786. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  ABSTRACT Antibodies against HPV proteins can provide pre‐diagnostic information about cancer development. We described the prevalence of antibodies to proteins of oncogenic HPV types prior to diagnosis of HPV‐related cancers. We analysed pre‐diagnostic blood from 1700 participants with incident HPV‐related cancers (anal = 387, cervical = 274, oropharyngeal = 788, penile = 168, vaginal = 83) and 6221 controls from nine prospective cohorts in Europe, North America and Australia in the HPV Cancer Cohort Consortium. We measured antibodies against E6, E7 and L1 proteins for 6 HPV types, and additionally against E1, E2, E4, E6, E7 and L1 proteins of HPV16 and 18. We described seroprevalence by lead time from blood draw to cancer diagnosis (range: 0–43 years). We found that among oropharyngeal cancers, seroprevalence increased approaching diagnosis for HPV16 E1, E2, E4, E6, E7, L1 and HPV18 E1, E2, L1 (HPV16‐E6: from 10.4% at > 20 years to 35.8% at 0–5 years, vs. 0.3% in controls). Anal cancer showed similar patterns for HPV16 E1, E2, E4, E6 and L1 and HPV18 E2 (HPV16‐E6: from 3.8% at > 20 years to 29.8% at 0–5 years). No trends were observed for cervical, penile, or vaginal cancers. In a multivariable model fit among cases, HPV16‐E6 seropositivity was higher at shorter lead times and more recent calendar periods, lower among US non‐Hispanic Blacks, and varied by cancer type (highest in oropharyngeal followed by anal, vaginal, penile and cervical) (all p  < 0.03). In conclusion, pre‐diagnostic HPV antibody responses vary by cancer type, with seroprevalence of 6–9 HPV proteins increasing approaching diagnosis for oropharyngeal and anal cancers, but not cervical, penile or vaginal cancers.

• Kraus, Anne Martina; Reas, Deborah; Gjefsen, Hege Marie; Rø, Øyvind & Skyrud, Katrine Damgaard (2026). Health Services Utilization by Individuals With Eating Disorders in Norway: A Nationwide Register‐Linkage Study. European Eating Disorders Review. ISSN 1072-4133. doi: 10.1002/erv.70183. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  ABSTRACT Objective This study investigated healthcare utilization by individuals with an eating disorder (ED) stratified by age and ED diagnosis. Method Data were retrieved from the Norwegian Patient Registry (NPR) and the Control and Payment of Health Reimbursements (KUHR). Individuals aged 6–69 years registered with a primary ED diagnosis (ICD‐10, F50.0–50.9) between 2015 and 2020 were included. Treatment cycles were defined as a sequence of specialist contacts preceded by and followed by a 48‐month lag period. Treatment duration from diagnosis to end‐of‐treatment was assessed using time‐to‐event analysis. Results 10,782 individuals were included; 91.8% female. Nearly half (48.3%) were diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN; F50.0–50.1), which had the longest median treatment duration (3.1 years), compared with BN (1.6 years) and other EDs (1.3 years). Individuals under 18 were predominantly treated for AN (67.9%). Within 2 years of diagnosis, 29.7% had received inpatient care (median 56 days), while 3.5% received day treatment. Prior to diagnosis, patients had a median of 4.5 GP visits, 62% of which were coded as somatic‐related. Discussion Individuals with EDs exhibited substantial utilization of primary and specialised care, with intensive and prolonged specialist care for AN, especially among younger women. Frequent GP consultations highlight primary care as an important setting for earlier ED detection.

• Moger, Tron Anders; Tjerbo, Trond; Vøllestad, Nina Køpke; Hellesø, Ragnhild; Holte, Jon Helgheim & Amundsen, Olav [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2026). From data collection to action: Health registry data in chronic care management and policy. Journal of Public Health Research. ISSN 2279-9028. 15(4). doi: 10.1177/22799036261495552. Full text in Research Archive
• Heggland, Torunn; Vatten, Lars Johan; Opdahl, Signe & Weedon-Fekjær, Harald (2026). Breast cancer overdiagnosis due to mammography screening—A long-term follow-up population study of BreastScreen Norway. Journal of Medical Screening. ISSN 0969-1413. doi: 10.1177/09691413261494999. Full text in Research Archive
• Moen, Line Victoria; Holme, Andreas Næss; Nilsen, Kristian Bernhard; Sallinen, Mikael; Matre, Dagfinn & Haugen, Fred (2026). Wearable-assessed sleep in Arctic industrial shift workers: effects of shift type, chronotype and season. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ISSN 1351-0711. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2026-111002. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: To determine how sleep timing, quality and duration change across consecutive morning, free days and night shifts among industrial workers in an Arctic environment, and to compare these sleep characteristics between seasons with extreme photoperiods. Methods: This observational crossover study included 111 process operators at a high-latitude (71°N) industrial plant in Norway, followed during light and dark photoperiod seasons. Of these, 81 participants participated in both seasons. Sleep was measured daily using sleep diaries and a smart ring. Participants worked a rotating schedule comprising seven consecutive morning shifts, four free days and seven consecutive night shifts. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine the effects of shift type, season, chronotype and consecutive workdays on sleep parameters. Results: Sleep timing and duration varied markedly by shift type. No overall seasonal effects were observed, although sleep onset and mid-sleep were delayed after the first morning shift during the dark season. Late chronotypes showed later sleep timing on free days and slept longer after night shifts. The probability of short sleep (<6 hours) was higher on both morning and night shifts than on free days. Conclusions: Both morning and night shifts were associated with shorter sleep than free days, with the greatest reduction after morning shifts. Despite extreme variations in seasonal photoperiod, season had limited influence on sleep among Arctic shift workers, which was primarily determined by work schedules and chronotype.

• Sari, Semra Oztemel; Kindberg, Kristine Lovise Mørk; Romaine, Andreas; Hardy, Las; Sasi, Athiramol & Iversen, Imran J. [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2026). A chronic pig model for comprehensive longitudinal studies of ventricular arrhythmias after ischemia and reperfusion. American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology. ISSN 0363-6135. 331(5), p. H1549–H1572. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00353.2026.
• Hertzberg, Silvia Nanjala Walekhwa; Balamoun, Ashraf Armia; Confalonieri, Filippo; Bianchi, Germán Roberto; Rejdak, Robert & Petrovski, Beata Eva [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) Surgery Versus Contact Lens-Based Correction with Backup Spectacles in Young Adults—A Norwegian Societal Perspective. Healthcare. 14(19). doi: 10.3390/healthcare14193220. Full text in Research Archive
• Vijayakumar, Arya Panthalanickal; Wilsgaard, Tom; Schirmer, Henrik; Lindekleiv, Haakon; Attia, Zachi I. & Lopez-Jimenez, Francisco [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). Clustering of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Midlife Forms Trajectories That Affect Heart Aging Biomarker and Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Digital Health (MCP: Digital Health). 4(4), p. 100425–100425. doi: 10.1016/j.mcpdig.2026.100425. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective To (1) identify multivariable longitudinal midlife patterns of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index, and non–high density lipoprotein cholesterol and (2) assess whether electrocardiogram derived heart age acceleration (δ-age) mediates their associations with incident myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and all-cause mortality. Patients and Methods We analyzed 5244 participants from the observational cohort study, the Tromsø Study, who were free of MI or stroke at baseline (Tromsø7, 2015-2016) and attended at least 3 surveys (Tromsø3-7, 1986-2016). Age-standardized risk factor z-scores were modeled with quadratic B-splines and grouped using K-means clustering to identify joint multivariable life-course risk profiles. δ-Age was derived from 12-lead electrocardiograms using a validated neural network. Natural-effects models decomposed hazard ratios between clusters and clinical events (follow-up to 2021) into direct and δ-age mediated components. Results Four distinct clusters were identified: stable low-risk (cluster 1, n=1604, 30.6%), dyslipidemia (cluster 2, n=1340, 25.6%), hypertension (cluster 3, n=1476, 28.1%), and high-risk trajectory (cluster 4, n=824, 15.7%). Each 1-SD increment in δ-age was associated with 27% to 30% of excess MI, stroke, and death, independent of age and sex. Clusters 3 and 4 carried the greatest excess risk of clinical events, whereas mediation by δ-age was modest (4%-8% of total effect for MI and stroke) and not statistically significant. Conclusion Joint multivariable life-course clustering of conventional risk factors identified clinically distinct long-term cardiovascular risk phenotypes. Although δ-age adds independent prognostic information, it explained little of the excess risk associated with chronic hypertension, dyslipidemia, or obesity, indicating it functions primarily as a parallel marker and not a causal mediator.

• Amberntsson, Anna; Konglevoll, Dina Moxness; Eliassen, Annika; Paulsen, Mari Mohn; Brantsæter, Anne Lise & Abel, Marianne Hope [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2026). Plant-based meat and dairy alternatives in Norway: consumption, nutritional quality and Nutri-Score based on data from the Norkost 4 survey. European Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 1436-6207. 65(8). doi: 10.1007/s00394-026-04144-y. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Purpose: Alternatives to animal-sourced foods (Alt-ASFs) are processed plant-based products that mimic animal-sourced foods. This study aimed to describe the consumption of Alt-ASFs in the Norwegian dietary survey (Norkost 4) and compare population characteristics and nutritional intake in regular consumers. Further, to compare the nutritional quality of Alt-ASFs consumed and describe the distribution of the Nutri-Score and NewTools-score - a proposed revised version of Nutri-Score, among these products. Methods: Dietary data were collected from 1,815 adults in Norkost 4 using 2*24-h recalls and a food frequency questionnaire. Alt-ASFs were identified and compared with corresponding ASFs. Nutritional quality was assessed and products were scored using Nutri-Score and NewTools-score. Results: Overall, the consumption of Alt-ASF was low (mean: 0.3 energy %, SD: 1.6). 8% ( n  = 147) reported consuming one or more Alt-ASFs regularly, defined as ≥  2 times/week, with dairy alternatives being most frequently consumed. Regular consumers were typically younger, female, and more likely to report a vegetarian diet. Most Alt-ASFs contained lower levels of the assessed micronutrients except for meat and fortified milk, whose micronutrient content was similar or higher than ASFs. There was a wide variation in nutritional scores for Alt-ASFs. Unfortified Alt-ASFs typically had a low micronutrient content but could still achieve favourable Nutri-Scores if low in salt, sugar and saturated fat. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that only a minor part of Norwegian adults regularly consumes Alt-ASFs and consumption is low. Shifting from ASFs to Alt-ASFs may have some nutritional benefits and some disadvantages, largely dependent on the chosen products.

• Torgalsbøen, Anne-Kari; Mohn, Christine; Larøi, Frank & Czajkowski, Nikolai Olavi (2026). Resilience and clinical recovery in first-episode schizophrenia: a 10-year longitudinal study of clinically recovered, non-recovered, and healthy control participants. Frontiers in Psychiatry. 17. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1813256. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Introduction Research on resilience in clinical recovery following first-episode schizophrenia (FES) remains limited, and few longitudinal studies achieve sufficient retention to capture long-term trajectories. To address this, the Oslo Schizophrenia Recovery Study (OSR) was designed to examine resilience over time in FES. Investigating resilience is essential for understanding how individuals exposed to schizophrenia may achieve favorable outcomes. We addressed two primary questions: First, how does resilience change over time in individuals with FES compared with healthy controls. Second, whether longitudinal resilience trajectories within the FES group differ between participants who meet predefined clinical recovery criteria compared to those who do not. Methods Repeated assessments were conducted across 12 clinical evaluations. The sample comprised 28 individuals with FES and 28 healthy controls. Resilience was measured with the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, and social and role functioning were indexed using the Global Functioning Scales. The data were analyzed using linear multilevel models. Candidate longitudinal mixed-effects models were compared using the small-sample corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc), with parameters estimated by maximum likelihood. Results At 10-year follow-up, retention was 79%. Half of the FES group achieved clinical recovery. Model estimates indicated increasing resilience over time in the FES group, whereas resilience in healthy controls remained relatively stable, although statistical support for differential trajectories between groups was limited. Clinically recovered individuals showed a steeper increase in resilience. In contrast, non-recovered individuals exhibited only modest, gradual improvements, with resilience levels remaining lower at study completion. Conclusion Different resilience trajectories were observed between clinically recovered and non-recovered individuals with FES, with greater improvements in resilience associated with recovery. Although causality remains uncertain and differences to healthy controls were less robust, these findings highlight the value of repeated longitudinal assessments of resilience in FES, both to more precisely characterize resilience trajectories and to reduce drop-out rates.

• Telumyan, Elen; Gracia, Beatriz Martín; Bassols-Citores, Eva; Sagini, Krizia; Andersen, Maria Karoline & Nyman, Tuula Anneli [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2026). Optimization of seminal extracellular vesicle isolation protocols for cancer biomarker analysis using proteomic profiling. Molecular Oncology. ISSN 1574-7891. p. 1–17. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.70345. Full text in Research Archive
• Ochili, CR; Whistance, M; Okolie, OJ; Hermet, L; Coraci, P & Touboul-Lundgren, PA [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2026). Educational Needs for Vector Borne Disease Preparedness: A Multi Country Teacher Study. European Journal of Public Health. ISSN 1101-1262. 36(Supplement_5). doi: 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.186. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background The geographic expansion of vectors has heightened the global risk of transmission of vector‑borne diseases (VBDs). Within Europe, VBDs are increasingly recognised as an emerging public health concern, underscoring the importance of public education to support prevention and preparedness. This study explored the need for educational materials on VBDs for children and young people by examining teachers’ knowledge, current teaching practices, and resource requirements. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with teachers from England, France, Norway, and New Caledonia (a French territory outside Europe) who teach science, geography, and health education to 5–18‑year‑olds. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results 46 teachers took part in the focus groups. Most had a basic awareness of VBDs and its link with climate change, and the majority had never taught the topic. The teachers strongly emphasised the importance of VBD education and expressed a clear need for comprehensive, evidence‑based teaching resources. Reported barriers included limited curriculum time and the absence of VBD‑related content in existing programmes of study. Participants highlighted that clear terminology, structured content, and opportunities for students to engage with real‑world examples from other countries would enhance motivation and learning. Conclusions This study engaged teachers across diverse European VBD contexts to identify gaps in classroom preparedness and define requirements for effective teaching resources. It resulted in evidence-based materials designed to address these gaps, supporting improved teacher confidence, stronger curriculum integration, and behaviour-changing learning amongst students. As one of the first European studies to assess VBD education needs across countries facing emerging, locally transmitted, and established vector-borne threats, it introduces an innovative, cross-regional approach to strengthening public health preparedness. Key messages • Teachers from non-endemic European settings recognise the growing risks posed by VBDs, acknowledge the need to educate students, and express strong interest in accessible resources to support this. • Co‑developing clear, tailored teaching resources strengthens public health preparedness by improving teacher confidence, embedding VBD content in lessons, and promoting behaviour‑changing learning.

• Reas, Deborah; Lie, Selma; Mala, Tom & Kvalem, Ingela Lundin (2026). Maladaptive Weight-Related Compensatory Behaviours Among Individuals Undergoing Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. European Eating Disorders Review. ISSN 1072-4133. doi: 10.1002/erv.70181. Full text in Research Archive

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• Nilsen, Dennis WT; Fuente, Ricardo Leon de la; Aarsetøy, Reidun; Næsgaard, Patrycja Anna; Ashur, S Dib & Andersen, Trygve Brugger [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2026). Risk of all-cause mortality and transcontinental differences in angiopoietin-like 4 protein and lipids in patients admitted with chest pain of suspected coronary origin. European Heart Journal. ISSN 0195-668X. 47(Supplement_1). doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehag785.3207. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background The prognostic utility of angiopoietin-like 4 protein (ANGPTL4) has previously been explored [1). ANGPTL4 plays a key role in lipid and glucose metabolism. It inhibits lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and is positively related to increased triglyceride (TG) levels and risk of cardiovascular death. Sharing the same protocol, two consecutive, prospective studies of propensity matched patients admitted with chest pain of suspected coronary origin were performed in Norway (NOR) and Argentina (ARG), respectively. We investigated mortality and circulating levels of ANGPTL4, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in each population, as well as the prognostic utility of ANGPTL4 in the combined population. Aims To evaluate the prognostic utility of ANGPT4 in two populations with significant differences in lipid risk profile. Methods There were 507 eligible patients in each population after propensity matching with respect to age, sex and statins, Stepwise Cox regression models, applying normalized continuous log values, were fitted for ANGPTL4 with 5 years' all-cause mortality as the dependent variable. The median value and Kruskal-Wallis test was applied for country comparisons of biomarker levels. Spearman Correlation Coefficient (r) was employed for analysis of correlations. Results Five-year mortality rates were similar across the two populations; ARG 20.1% and NOR 22.7%, p=0.32. ANGPTL4 levels were collectively available in 992 patients (ARG=504, NOR=488), of whom 212 (21.4%) had died. ANGPTL4 was independently associated with risk in both populations [ARG: HR 1.65 (95%CI 1.35-2.01), p&lt;0.001] and [NOR: HR 1.30 (95%CI 1.07-1.57), p=0.008]. These HR do not not differ significantly (Z=1.68; p=0.093). In the combined population, ANGPTL4 yielded an HR (95%CI) for all-cause mortality of 1.87 (1.67-2.10) in the univariate and 1.43 (1.23-1.67) in the adjusted analysis. ANGPTL4 was significantly higher in the ARG as compared to the NOR population (3.74 vs. 2.89 ng/mL, p&lt;0.0001), as was TG (1.60 vs. 1.30 mmol/L, p&lt;0.0001, whereas the opposite was noted for the other lipid fractions (TC 4.60 vs. 5.50 mmol/L, HDL-C 1.00 vs. 1.30 mmol/L, LDL-C 2.67 vs. 3.46 mmol/L (each p&lt;0.0001). Conclusion ANGPTL4 is independently and positively associated with total mortality in patients with chestpain of suspected coronary origin, but the weight of risk did not differ significantly between the Argentinian and the Norwegian population, despite significant differences in lipid fractions.

• Alfonso, Jose Hernan (2026). Mot bedre risikovurdering av hudsensibiliserende kjemikalier. Full text in Research Archive
• Alfonso, Jose Hernan (2026). Challenges and opportunities for the prevention of Allergic Contact Dermatitis: SKINSENREG & SKINSENMIX. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Dennis WT; Fuente, Ricardo Leon de la; Næsgaard, Patrycja Anna; Aarsetøy, Reidun; Gallo, P & Andersen, Trygve Brugger [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2026). Angiopoietin like 4 (ANGPTL4) protein challenges brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) as a prognostic biomarker in patients admitted with chest pain of suspected coronary origin. European Heart Journal. ISSN 0195-668X. 47(Supplement_1). doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehag785.1850. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background BNP is predominantly synthesized in the ventricular myocardium and is released into the circulation in response to ventricular distention in heart failure and secondary to ventricular dysfunction in an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ANGPTL4 is an important modulator of lipid metabolism and is involved in the regulation of vascular integrity and angiogenesis. Elevated levels of both biomarkers play a pivotal role in cardiovascular disease and serve as prognostic indicators of ACS and heart failure. Their prognostic significance has previously been explored [1]. Aims To assess the prognostic weighting in ACS of ANGPTL4 and BNP in a crosscontinental setting. Methods Patients admitted with chest pain of suspected coronary origin were recruited in Norway and Argentina, applying similar protocols, and matched by propensity scoring according to age, sex and use of statins, yielding 507 subjects in each group. A Cox regression model, adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, was fitted for standardized logANGPTL4 and logBNP, respectively, with all-cause mortality within 5 years as the dependent variable. Multivariable analysis was performed for the assessment of the hazard ratio (HR) 95% confidence interval (95%CI). Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) for calculation of Area Under Curve (AUC) (95%CI) was performed in the combined populations for evaluation of crosscontinental biomarker utility. Results There was no significant difference in death rates at 5 years follow-up in the Argentinian (20.1%) and Norwegian (22.7%) cohort of patients, p=0.32. In the multivariable adjusted analysis, ANGPTL4 was independently associated with all-cause mortality in each cohort: [HR 1.65 (95%CI 1.35-2.01), p&lt;0.001] and [HR 1.30 (95%CI 1.07-1.57), p=0.008], respectively. The corresponding results for BNP were: [HR 1.61 (95%CI 1.28-2.04), p&lt;0.001] and [HR 1.65 (95%CI 1.29-2.10), p&lt;0.001]. AUC for ANGPTL4 in both populations combined was 0.718 (95%CI 0.680-0.756) and for BNP 0.730 (95%CI 0.691-0.769). Conclusion In the Argentinian cohort, ANGPTL4 carries the same risk for 5-years’ mortality as BNP does in the Norwegian cohort (Z=0.004; p= 0.997). In the combined population, BNP performs better than ANGPTL4 as judged by the AUC in the ROC analysis.

• Alfonso, Jose Hernan (2026). Melanom: fra kjente risikofaktorer til persontilpasset risikovurdering. Full text in Research Archive
• Khalil, Youssef Samir Abouzeid Mohamed; Vesterbekkmo, Elisabeth Kleivhaug; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund; Dalen, Håvard; Retterstøl, Kjetil & Blom, Sigrid Marie [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). Excess atherosclerotic cardiovascular burden associated with elevated lipoprotein(a) across age, sex, and cardiometabolic risk factors: insights from 16-year follow-up of the HUNT Study. European Heart Journal. ISSN 0195-668X. 47(Supplement_1). doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehag785.3363. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Background Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a causal risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), but prevention strategies should be guided by where the absolute excess burden of events is greatest. Purpose To test additive interaction between elevated Lp(a) and other ASCVD risk factors, and to estimate absolute excess ASCVD hazard associated with elevated Lp(a) across cardiometabolic profiles at different ages. Methods We included 19 495 adults without ASCVD at baseline from the Trøndelag Health Study (2006–08) and followed them for up to 16 years for first ASCVD event. Lp(a) was dichotomised as &gt;105 versus ≤105 nmol/L, and pre-specified risk factors were classified into higher and lower-risk strata. Multivariable cause-specific Cox models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and to evaluate additive interaction using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Sex-specific marginal hazards and hazard rate differences (HRDs) of ASCVD per 1000 person-years were estimated at age 60 across cardiometabolic markers. Sensitivity analyses used Lp(a) ≥96th versus 1–74th percentiles. Results HRs were generally highest when elevated Lp(a) coexisted with the higher-risk stratum of the risk factor. Additive interaction was observed for older age (RERI 0.60; 95% CI: 0.10–1.10) and male sex (RERI 0.63; 95% CI: 0.27–0.99). Using ≥96th versus 1–74th percentiles, smoking also showed additive interaction (RERI 0.57; 95% CI: 0.05–1.08). RERI estimates for remaining risk factors were small. At age 60, hazard rates of ASCVD were higher for elevated versus low Lp(a) across all risk factors and were generally larger in men. Across mean systolic blood pressure, the excess burden associated with elevated Lp(a) increased with higher levels in men, reaching 7.88 additional events per 1000 person-years at 180 mmHg (95% CI: -1.38–17.14), whereas women showed a smaller increase (HRD 3.89; 95% CI: -0.74–8.53). Across triglycerides-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG:HDL-C) ratio, the excess burden in men peaked around a TG:HDL-C ratio of ~1.4, reaching 7.41 additional events per 1000 person-years (95% CI: 4.42–10.41), while in women the HRDs were relatively constant. In contrast, HRDs varied little across other risk factors, including C-reactive protein, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Similar patterns were observed at older ages. Conclusions Elevated Lp(a) shows clinically relevant additive interaction with age and sex, while interaction with most other cardiometabolic risk factors appears limited. Nevertheless, absolute excess ASCVD burden varies across selected cardiometabolic profiles and is consistently greater in men. These findings support a clear communication of the absolute excess burden associated with elevated Lp(a) and may help inform the most relevant target groups for future Lp(a)-lowering therapies. Larger cohorts are needed to confirm these findings.

• Lie, Anne Kveim (2026). Mandag - Studio 2 - NRK Radio. [Radio]. NRK P2. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Helsereform er på vei, men hva forventer vi av helsevesenet?

• Signorelli, Letizia; Korchynska, Solomiia; Ortiz, Cantin; Arena, Alessandro; Wilhelm, Sophia Anna & Boccara, Charlotte (2026). Sleep scoring with Nyx: a generalisable framework across species, ages and recording Methods. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background and aims: Sleep scoring is essential for the characterisation of sleep architecture and supports most analyses in sleep research, yet it remains a time-consuming task. While automated sleep scoring has the potential to reduce manual workload and inter-rater variability, its adoption remains limited. Most existing tools are tailored to specific datasets, reducing their generalisability, and function as black-box algorithms, limiting interpretability and undermining researchers' trust. To address these challenges, we present Nyx, a generalisable, explainable, and accessible sleep scoring framework, based on Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for transparent feature extraction and flexible stage clustering. We demonstrate its application across species, lifespan, and recording modalities, and release it as an open-source tool with a graphical user interface (GUI) for non-technical users. Methods: Nyx was first validated on rodent polysomnographic (PSG) data from 17 datasets (10 baseline and 7 experimental manipulations; rats and mice; ~7,937 h of recordings). Then generalisation was evaluated across three dimensions: species (rodents, humans and additional species), developmental stage (juvenile, adolescent and adult), and recording modality, including acquisition setup (wired, wireless and telemetric) and signal combinations (electroencephalography (EEG) with electromyography (EMG), EEG with video or accelerometry, and EEG-only). Agreement with human scorers and established automated tools was quantified using Cohen's κ and F1 score. Preliminary evaluation of real-time sleep classification was also conducted to explore the framework's potential for closed-loop applications. Results: Nyx achieved performance comparable to inter-rater human agreement across all rodent baseline and experimental datasets (κ ≥ 0.80, F1 ≥ 0.85). The framework generalised across species and developmental stages, accurately differentiating human sleep stages (4-stage: κ ≥ 0.70, F1 ≥ 0.80; 5-stage: κ ≥ 0.65, F1 ≥ 0.75), while maintaining consistent performance across age groups. Real-time classification performance indicates suitability for closed-loop experimental applications. Conclusions: Nyx provides a reproducible, generalisable and accessible framework for sleep scoring across species, developmental stages and recording modalities. Its transparent architecture based on PCA addresses a key barrier to the adoption of automated scoring approaches. By enabling consistent analysis across diverse datasets and acquisition methods, Nyx facilitates more standardised sleep research and the exploration of cross-species, lifespan and cross-modality insights.

• Haugaa, Kristina Ingrid Helena Hermann (2026). Presisjonsmedisin i kardiologi: Erfaringer fra et senter for innovasjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugaa, Kristina Ingrid Helena Hermann (2026). Ventrickulære arytmier. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugaa, Kristina Ingrid Helena Hermann (2026). HOCM and myosin inhibitors: who and when? Full text in Research Archive
• Haugaa, Kristina Ingrid Helena Hermann (2026). Kardiogenetikk. Full text in Research Archive
• Haugaa, Kristina Ingrid Helena Hermann (2026). Peripartum kardiomyopati og andre kritiske hjertetilstander blant fødende. Full text in Research Archive
• Skurtveit, Svetlana Ondrasova & Odsbu, Ingvild (2026). Vedvarende opioidbruk og konsekvenser: Resultater fra POINT-prosjektet. Glimt. ISSN 1890-8489. p. 12–16. doi: https:/www.kroniskesmerter.no/glimt?utgave=01-2026. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Ida Ormstad; Nes, Lise Solberg; Jortveit, Jarle & Halvorsen, Sigrun (2026). Informasjonsmøte for helsepersonell, Hjerte-sjekken studien. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Ida Ormstad; Nes, Lise Solberg; Jortveit, Jarle & Halvorsen, Sigrun (2026). Introduksjon av Hjerte-sjekken studien, inklusjon. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Ida Ormstad; Nes, Lise Solberg; Jortveit, Jarle & Halvorsen, Sigrun (2026). Hjerte-sjekken studien, inklusjon på HiO. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Ida Ormstad; Nes, Lise Solberg; Jortveit, Jarle & Halvorsen, Sigrun (2026). Informasjon om Hjerte-sjekken studien, for helsepersonell. Full text in Research Archive
• Nilsen, Ida Ormstad; Nes, Lise Solberg; Jortveit, Jarle & Halvorsen, Sigrun (2026). Introduksjon av Hjerte-sjekken studien. Full text in Research Archive
• Aminoff, Sofie Ragnhild; Barth, Claudia; Skoge, Mari; Lyngstad, Siv Hege; Mork, Erlend & Lagerberg, Trine Vik [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2026). Menstrual cycle regularity in women with bipolar disorders: associations with premenstrual disturbances, hormonal contraceptives and course of illness. Full text in Research Archive
• Enriquez, Brian Anthony & Aamodt, Anne Hege (2026). Beyond Vessel Occlusion: Biological Vulnerability and Procedural Determinants of Outcome in Expanded Endovascular Thrombectomy Indications. Universitetet i Oslo. ISSN 9788234809248. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is standard care for acute ischemic stroke caused by proximal large vessel occlusion, but many patients seen in clinical practice were underrepresented in the pivotal trials. This thesis examines functional outcome, safety and prognostic determinants after EVT in tandem occlusions, medium vessel occlusions, patients aged 80 years or older, and stroke with large infarct stroke It is based on three observational studies from the OSCAR registry and a secondary analysis of the randomized TENSION trial. EVT could be performed with acceptable safety, and many patients achieved favourable functional outcomes. In patients with large infarcts, functional outcomes after EVT did not differ significantly between women and men. Several factors beyond the occlusion itself were associated with outcome, including the number of thrombectomy passes, baseline tissue condition, premorbid function and patient vulnerability. These findings suggest that individualized assessment of such factors may be important alongside confirming the target occlusion.

• Holen, Børge & Smeland, Olav Bjerkehagen (2026). The genetic architecture of opioid use disorder and its shared liability with severe mental disorders, cognition, and other substance use disorders. Universitetet i Oslo. ISSN 9788234809118. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This thesis in psychiatric genetics addresses the genetic architecture of opioid use disorder (OUD) and its overlap with related traits. OUD is a disorder that affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with nearly 100,000 deaths annually, yet its genetic basis remains incompletely understood. The thesis asks whether OUD shares genetic architecture with severe mental disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression), general cognitive ability, and other substance use disorders (alcohol and cannabis), including overlap not captured by genetic correlation. Three studies analysed GWAS summary statistics pairwise, using linkage disequilibrium score regression and polygenic scores (Study I), the mixture model MiXeR, which estimates shared causal variants irrespective of effect direction (Studies II and III), and conditional/conjunctional false discovery rate analysis, which uses a better-powered trait to improve locus discovery and identify shared loci. Study I identified 20 OUD loci, 14 novel, of which seven were shared with severe mental disorders, all with concordant effect direction. Study II showed that 94% of OUD risk variants are also associated with cognitive ability and identified a novel shared locus in SLC5A11. Study III found 23 loci shared between alcohol and cannabis use disorder and 11 between alcohol and opioid use disorder, and contributed 39, 10, and one novel locus for alcohol, cannabis, and opioid use disorder, respectively. Across studies, 64 OUD loci were identified, many novel. OUD was the least polygenic trait examined. Shared loci implicated neuronal communication and development, and regulation of gene activity. The findings indicate considerable shared genetic architecture, supporting shared biology behind comorbidity. Limitations include sample overlap, predominantly European ancestry, and limited power for OUD-specific validation. The results may inform biologically grounded classification and treatment.

• Carey, Harry Alexander Chandler & Bjaalie, Jan G. (2026). Spatiotemporal mapping of gene expression in the mouse brain. Universitetet i Oslo. ISSN 9788234809194. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Recent years have seen a significant increase in the availability of computational tools for the spatial registration of histological tissue section images to volumetric brain atlases. Spatial registration tools have provided great benefits, facilitating the mapping of brain-derived data into a common reference space. However, spatial registration tools typically require anatomical expertise, and iterative steps, resulting in a low throughput. Further, their benefits are largely restricted to the adult mouse and rat, for which there are mature atlases. In the developing brain, there is a lack of volumetric atlases which spatial registration tools could map data to. In this thesis, I address these limitations, enabling the spatiotemporal mapping of gene expression in the mouse brain. First, I introduce DeepSlice, a method for high-throughput mapping of histological tissue data to an atlas. Next, I improve the Allen CCFv3 reference atlas by creating a high-quality Nissl template. Finally, I provide a novel spatiotemporal atlas (DeMBA) which maps the growth of the brain throughout 53 days of postnatal development. I then leverage these tools to accurately map thousands of coronal mouse brain images into our improved atlases, a task not previously feasible. This work produces a high-resolution 3D map of gene expression in the mouse brain and establishes a developmental framework for mapping these genes in space and time.

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