In collaboration with the Journal of Neurotrauma and The Lancet, these papers introduce a transformative shift in the way traumatic brain injury (TBI) is classified and understood. Traditionally, TBI severity has been determined using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), categorizing cases as mild, moderate, or severe. However, this method fails to capture the complexity of brain injury. In response, the U.S. National Institutes of Health–National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke initiated a global effort in 2022 to develop a more nuanced framework, particularly focused on the acute phase of TBI.

An evaluation of 10 previously published studies suggests that a recent fad of taping one’s mouth shut while sleeping to prevent mouth breathing may have little benefit and could pose serious asphyxiation risks. Dr. Brian Rotenberg of Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS One on May 21, 2025.

Policies that impact social determinants of health may influence an individual’s risk of depression, according to a new study published May 21, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Mary Nicolaou of the Amsterdam UMC, The Netherlands, and colleagues.

The benefits of positive expressive writing for psychological health and wellbeing depend on the particular approach and on individual differences, according to a systematic review published on May 21, 2025 in the open-access journal PLOS One by Lauren Hoult from Northumbria University, U.K., and colleagues.