AGP Executive Report

Healthy ageing: Norway topped the 2026 retirement index, with strong scores for health and quality of life. Headache research: A Norwegian study is testing whether AI can use body signals to warn of a headache up to 24 hours in advance. Child health: New research links emotional instability in childhood with a greater risk of overeating later in life. Alzheimer’s: A major genetic study led by the University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital identified 48 previously unknown risk regions, offering new clues about the disease’s biology.

Childhood Wellbeing: A Norwegian study tracking 878 children from ages 6 to 18 found that emotional instability may raise the risk of comfort eating later in life, which is linked to obesity and eating disorders. Headache Forecasting: Researchers testing AI with 20 people experiencing persistent concussion symptoms found it could predict moderate-to-severe headaches up to 24 hours ahead, potentially helping patients plan and manage symptoms. Colonoscopy Follow-up: Findings from the European Polyp Surveillance project, led in part by an Oslo University professor, suggest some patients with high-risk polyps may safely wait five years, rather than three, for follow-up colonoscopy. Back Surgery: A study using Norwegian spine surgery data found that adding spinal fusion to decompression surgery brought most patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis no extra benefit in pain, function or repeat-surgery rates after one year.

Spine Surgery: A study using Norwegian registry data found that adding spinal fusion to decompression surgery brought no better pain, function or repeat-surgery outcomes after a year for most people with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Cancer Care: An Oslo University Hospital-led Scandinavian trial found aspirin did not prevent colorectal cancer returning after surgery for liver metastases, despite earlier hopes it might help. Child Health: Norwegian health records covering more than 740,000 children showed no evidence that rotavirus vaccination changed the risk of type 1 diabetes.

Early Diagnosis: Norwegian cancer nurses say smell can help them recognize infections and other conditions, while researchers explore whether breath and skin molecules could support non-invasive disease tests. New detection tools and machine learning may bring the approach closer to clinics, though it is not yet routine care. Pregnancy and Autoimmune Disease: NTNU researchers are studying immune cells to understand why pregnancy affects women with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus differently. These conditions can raise the risk of pre-eclampsia, premature birth and miscarriage; the goal is to find markers that could help tailor treatment.

Pregnancy & Autoimmune Disease: NTNU researchers are examining how immune cells behave during pregnancy in women with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. The work could help explain higher risks of pre-eclampsia, premature birth and miscarriage, and support more personalised treatment. Alzheimer’s Research: A major genetic study co-led by University of Oslo researchers mapped 48 newly identified risk regions and pointed to brain immune cells as an important research focus. Separately, NTNU researchers have proposed a possible link between repeated inflammation and dementia risk, but say their model has not yet been confirmed in people.

Mental Health: A University of Oslo-led study found that anxiety and behavioural difficulties in adolescence were linked to different political preferences and lower political trust in adulthood. Workplace Safety: An investigation spanning Norway and three other European countries reported dangerous conditions and unpaid wages for migrant workers on data-centre sites; a collective agreement securing back pay and safety representatives was reached at a site in Sweden. Alzheimer’s Research: Norwegian researchers proposed a possible link between repeated inflammation and dementia, but their model has not been confirmed in people. A separate large genetic study, co-led by a University of Oslo researcher, mapped 48 new Alzheimer’s risk regions, pointing to brain immune cells; the findings are a starting point for research, not a new test or treatment.

Alzheimer’s Research: A Norwegian-led model suggests repeated bouts of inflammation may help explain Alzheimer’s risk, but the proposed pathway has not yet been confirmed in people. Genetics: A study of 2.8 million people mapped 48 new Alzheimer’s risk regions and highlighted brain immune cells; University of Oslo researcher Ole Andreassen co-led the work. Teen Mental Health: NTNU researchers found that more conflict with fathers was associated with lower use of specialist mental health services among adolescents, though the reason for the link remains unclear. Dental Health: UiT researchers have developed a temperature-sensitive gel designed to keep medicine in infected gum pockets, potentially offering a targeted alternative to repeated treatment or antibiotics.

Dental Research: UiT researchers have developed a temperature-sensitive gel that hardens in gum pockets, potentially keeping medicine in place longer to treat gum disease while limiting whole-body antibiotic exposure. Teen Mental Health: An NTNU study following 822 adolescents found that greater conflict with fathers was associated with lower later use of specialist mental-health services; the researchers say the reasons remain unclear. Concussion Care: NTNU researchers say AI models could use heart, skin and muscle signals to predict some patients’ headaches and fatigue a day ahead, offering a possible way to help them plan. Nutrition Research: A Norwegian study found unexpected changes in cardiovascular risk markers when participants with obesity ate more saturated fat. The findings challenge simple assumptions, but are not a reason to change diets without medical advice.

Dental Research: UiT researchers have developed a heat-sensitive gel designed to stay in infected gum pockets, potentially delivering treatment for longer and reducing the need for repeated procedures or whole-body antibiotics. Teen Mental Health: A study following 822 young people in Trondheim found that greater conflict with fathers was linked to lower use of specialist mental health services later on, highlighting how family relationships may affect access to care. Concussion Care: NTNU researchers say patterns in body signals may help AI predict moderate to severe headaches and fatigue a day before they occur, giving people with persistent post-concussion symptoms time to plan. Heart Monitoring: An NTNU team’s electronics-free skin patch uses a smartphone camera to measure pulse and blood-vessel stiffness. Diet and Heart Risk: A Norwegian study found that people with obesity who ate more saturated fat had some favorable changes in cardiovascular risk markers, but the findings do not establish long-term health benefits.

Heart Health: NTNU researchers have developed a flexible silicone patch that uses a smartphone camera to measure pulse and blood-vessel stiffness, without electronics or cables. Headache Research: An NTNU study found AI could identify patterns in physiological data to predict moderate-to-severe headaches and fatigue up to 24 hours ahead for some people with persistent post-concussion symptoms. Diabetes Risk: A long-running Tromsø Study of 42,907 people found diabetes was linked to higher first-heart-attack rates in both women and men; differences between the sexes narrowed after researchers accounted for cholesterol, blood pressure and other risk factors. Patient Safety: A doctor previously struck off Norway’s medical register for serious misconduct has now been removed from the UK register after giving a cancer patient potentially dangerous alternative treatment, including large vitamin C injections.

Parkinson’s Research: A Norwegian trial of 410 people with early-stage Parkinson’s found a popular longevity supplement did not slow the disease; symptoms worsened for some participants. Heart Health: NTNU researchers have developed a flexible skin patch that uses a smartphone camera to measure pulse and blood-vessel stiffness, without electronics or cables. Alzheimer’s: An international study led by the University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital identified 127 DNA regions linked to the disease, including 48 not previously associated with Alzheimer’s risk. Children’s Activity: University of Agder researchers found children were more active in organised after-school programs than when they went straight home. Cancer Care: A Scandinavian trial led by Oslo researchers found aspirin did not reduce recurrence or death after treatment for colon cancer that had spread to the liver, and serious side effects were more common.

Colon Cancer: A Scandinavian trial led by University of Oslo researchers found daily aspirin did not reduce recurrence or death after treatment for colon cancer that had spread to the liver. Serious side effects, including bleeding and heart attacks, were more common—so the researchers say aspirin should not be used for this purpose without rigorous testing. Workplace Safety: A SINTEF survey of Norwegian aquaculture and maritime workers found many enjoy their jobs, but safety concerns persist: 85% of service-vessel employees reported a near miss in the past two years. Antiviral Defenses: NTNU researchers found JAK inhibitors weakened antiviral responses in lab models, potentially making it easier for several viruses to spread. Patients taking these medicines should discuss any concerns with their clinician.

Medication Safety: NTNU researchers found that JAK inhibitors weakened antiviral defenses in lab-grown human cells and tissue models, potentially making several viruses more able to spread. The findings are not a reason to stop prescribed treatment, but point to a need for further study. Teen Mental Health: A Norwegian study of more than 4,000 adolescents linked social comparison on social media with symptoms of anxiety, depression and other conditions; the association was stronger than for other online habits examined. Workplace Safety: A survey of Norwegian aquaculture and maritime workers found that 85% of service-vessel employees had experienced a near miss in the past two years, despite most respondents finding their work rewarding. New Medicines: Oslo researchers engineered an albumin-based protein that lasted longer in circulation and crossed nasal tissue in humanized mice, a potential step towards long-acting, needle-free medicines. Eating Disorders: A global analysis found eating-disorder rates have risen sharply over three decades and identified Norway among countries with high prevalence, underscoring the need for prevention and care.

Needle-Free Medicine: Researchers at the University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital engineered an albumin-based version of the anemia drug EPO that lasted longer in circulation and crossed nasal tissue in humanized mice. The approach could eventually reduce repeat injections, but it is still at an early research stage. Mental Health in Norway: University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital researcher Suraj Bahadur Thapa is studying how migration, displacement and trauma affect mental health, drawing on his clinical work with refugees and other migrants.

Everyday Movement: A study led by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that brisker walking was linked to a lower risk of death, even after accounting for daily step count. The findings add to the case for picking up the pace on regular walks, though they do not prove brisk walking itself causes longer life. Children’s Digital Wellbeing: Nordic leaders called for social media and other digital platforms to be redesigned with children’s health in mind, citing concerns about mental wellbeing, learning and development. Childhood Cancer Research: Norwegian researchers found unusual antibodies were more common in children who later developed cancer. Lab tests suggest the antibodies may interfere with DNA repair, but the findings do not establish that they cause cancer.

Children’s Digital Health: Nordic leaders, including Norway, called for redesigning social media and other platforms to better protect young people’s mental health, learning and development. Diet and Heart Health: A Norwegian trial found that a very high-saturated-fat diet changed some cardiovascular risk markers favorably over two years, without raising apoB. The study involved adults with obesity and does not establish effects on heart disease. Parkinson’s Research: A large trial led by Haukeland University Hospital found that the healthy-aging supplement nicotinamide riboside did not slow early Parkinson’s disease; motor scores worsened in the supplement group compared with placebo. Drug Safety: NTNU researchers reported that JAK inhibitors may help certain viruses spread in the body. Patients should not stop prescribed treatment without speaking to their doctor.