In a first, the top editors of JAMA® have identified what they see as some of the “most impactful, the most newsworthy and the most novel” research published in the journal over the prior year.
The studies identified “speak to really hot areas in research right now and to clinical conditions that are of great importance to patients, to clinicians, and to the public health community,” Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo, PhD, MD, MAS, editor-in-chief of JAMA and JAMA Network™, said in a JAMA news article, “Research of the Year 2025,” that was published in December.
The articles—published in JAMA between September 2024 and October 2025 and gathered here—“also speak to the range of methods that investigators are using to answer important questions,” said Dr. Bibbins-Domingo, who discussed the selections on a recent podcast and chose them along with Executive Editor Gregory Curfman, MD.
AMA members can explore a range of peer-reviewed research and clinical information published by the JAMA Network, which brings JAMA together with JAMA Network Open and 11 specialty journals. Published continuously since 1883, JAMA is one of the most widely circulated, peer-reviewed, general medical journals in the world. If you are a member or interested in becoming one, learn how to access these educational materials and innovative tools.
“Semaglutide and Tirzepatide in Patients With Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction.”
- This observational study shows that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are “associated with reduced rates of hospitalization and death,” according to JAMA Deputy Editor Mary McDermott, MD. “Results from this study will have wide-ranging implications for the millions of patients” who have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
“Herpes Zoster Vaccination and Dementia Occurrence.”
- Could shingles vaccination cut dementia risk? This article—which racked up more than 70,000 views by December—reported the results of an observational study involving more than 100,000 Australians. The findings are “one more reason to get vaccinated,” said JAMA Deputy Editor Preeti Malani, MD.
“Testing and Evaluation of Health Care Applications of Large Language Models: A Systematic Review.”
- There have been lots of studies of large language models (LLMs) published in recent years. But only 5% use real patient data, according to this systematic review finding that LLM studies in health care have been “fragmented and insufficient.”
“Expanded Newborn Screening Using Genome Sequencing for Early Actionable Conditions.”
- The JAMA “Research of the Year 2025” article notes that this “prospective study demonstrated that a targeted genome-sequencing analysis that looks for variants in a predefined set of genes is not only feasible but can improve health outcomes by enabling the early detection of a wider range of treatable health conditions and disorders than standard screenings.”
“Structured vs Self-Guided Multidomain Lifestyle Interventions for Global Cognitive Function: The US POINTER Randomized Clinical Trial.”
- According to JAMA Deputy Editor Christopher Muth, MD, “this trial is important because it confirmed the benefits of a structured multidomain lifestyle intervention in a U.S. population of older adults at risk of cognitive decline or dementia, including those from racial and ethnic groups often underrepresented in dementia clinical trials.”
“Restrictive vs Liberal Transfusion Strategy in Patients With Acute Brain Injury: The TRAIN Randomized Clinical Trial.”
- These findings on optimal transfusion strategy may “actually change practice,” said JAMA Senior Editor Philip Greenland, MD.
“Active Monitoring With or Without Endocrine Therapy for Low-Risk Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: The COMET Randomized Clinical Trial.”
- Is ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) overtreated? Many patients and physicians over the years have held that view, according to JAMA Oncology Editor-in-Chief Mary L. Disis, MD, who also is a JAMA deputy editor. The data from this clinical trial suggests “that active monitoring could be an option for some women with DCIS to avoid more extensive surgical and medical treatments.”
“HepB-CpG vs HepB-Alum Vaccine in People With HIV and Prior Vaccine Nonresponse: The BEe-HIVe Randomized Clinical Trial.”
- Changing from an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant to a cytosine phosphoguanine adjuvant in the hepatitis B vaccine can offer better seroprotection for patients with HIV. Because of their immunocompromising condition, such patients often fail to mount a sufficient immune response with the conventional hep B vaccine. Dr. Malani said the study “provides evidence to try this approach in other patients who do not respond to a series of HepB vaccine.”
“Lorundrostat in Participants With Uncontrolled Hypertension and Treatment-Resistant Hypertension: The Launch-HTN Randomized Clinical Trial.”
- Uncontrolled hypertension may affect as many as 40% of patients with hypertension. This study of more than 1,000 adults with uncontrolled hypertension found that clinically meaningful improvement in systolic BP after six weeks’ treatment with lorundostat. That “opens a new approach to the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension,” Dr. Curfman said.
While these were some of the most notable and potentially practice-changing findings published in JAMA over the past year, there are many great ways that physicians can leverage resources from the JAMA Network to help them in their clinical practice. These include:
- Taking CME courses and earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™.
- Fulfilling maintenance of licensure (MOL) and CME requirements on JN Learning™, the home for all JAMA Network CME.
- Reading concise summaries of clinical guidelines and recommendations in a format designed for today’s busy physicians.
The subscription cost of JAMA is included with your AMA membership, plus unlimited digital access to all JAMA Network journals, including: JAMA Cardiology, JAMA Dermatology, JAMA Internal Medicine, JAMA Network Open, JAMA Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, JAMA Neurology, JAMA Oncology, JAMA Ophthalmology, JAMA Pediatrics, JAMA Psychiatry and JAMA Surgery.
The journals include many helpful features for students, residents and fellows, including full-text PDFs, clinical challenges, archived editions, audio and video author interviews where authors give their perspectives on a study’s objectives, findings and implications.
