Monthly Archives:
January 2021

Genes, Cells, and Neural Circuits Relevant to OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Editor’s Note:
Genes, Cells, and Neural Circuits Relevant to OCD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Ned H. Kalin, M.D.
Published Online:1 Jan 2021 DOI 10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20111605

Read Editor’s Note

“These cross-species translational data are potentially exciting and serve to focus the search for the pathophysiology of PANDAS toward a specific class of inter-neurons within the striatum that are known to fine tune and regulate striatal output via their influences on the abundant medium spiny GABAergic neurons that project to effector sites. Because of the similarities between PANDAS and bonafide OCD, these studies raise the possibility that striatal cholinergic interneurons are mechanistically involved in the pathophysiology of childhood OCD. In his editorial (9), Dr. Steve Hyman from Harvard University critically appraises this study and suggests that, in addition to the mechanism suggested by the findings in this article, other immune-related molecular pathways may also be important.”

Catatonia in a 6-year-old Patient Following Disseminated Group A Streptococcus Infection
Cawkwell PB, Mayor ID, Shaw RJ. Catatonia in a 6-year-old Patient Following Disseminated Group A Streptococcus Infection. Innov Clin Neurosci. 2021 Jan 1;18(1-3):17-20. PMID: 34150358; PMCID: PMC8195556.
  • Catatonia is a neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by diverse features including mutism, posturing, negativism, staring, rigidity, and echophenomenon.
  • The mechanism of catatonia is still being elucidated; in this case, catatonia triggered by GAS infection is one potential mechanism.
  • Further systematic study of catatonia in the pediatric population is warranted to better understand pathogenesis and long-term neuropsychiatric outcomes.