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
“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.”
Gabriella True
