Fresh research from the University of East Anglia (UEA) could transform how the NHS protects patients’ medical images from cyber‑attacks. Computer scientists have developed a breakthrough way to encrypt medical images such as X‑rays, CT scans and MRIs, keeping them secure even if hospital networks are breached. Medical imaging systems have been repeatedly identified as weak points, with many relying on legacy protocols that were never designed to be exposed to the internet, making image‑level encryption an urgent priority. Developed by researchers at the University of East Anglia in collaboration with international partners, the new encryption approach uses advanced mathematical techniques to make each protected image uniquely unpredictable and extremely difficult to hack, while still fast enough for everyday NHS use.

Wearable devices and digital apps that are available to consumers are emerging as potential tools in neurological care. These include smart watches and fitness trackers to monitor heart rate, physical activity, sleep and other health factors. To provide neurologists with guidance on the use, limitations and evidence on non-U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared wearable technology, the American Academy of Neurology has developed an Emerging Issues in Neurology article published March 11, 2026, in Neurology^®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.