A coordinate-based meta-analysis of grey matter volume differences between adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and healthy controls.

According to the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the striatum plays a primary role in its neuropathophysiology. Hypothesising that volumetric alterations are more pronounced in subcortical areas of patients within the CSTC circuit compared to healthy controls (HCs), we conducted a coordinate-based meta-analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies. We included 26 whole-brain MRI studies, comprising 3,010 subjects: 1,508 patients (788 men, 720 women; mean age: 30.

Recognizing and preventing unacknowledged prescribing errors associated with polypharmacy.

Background: Prescribing errors put an enormous burden on health and the economy, claiming implementation of effective methods to prevent/reduce them. Polypharmacy regimens (five or more drugs) are highly prone to unacknowledged prescribing errors, since the complex network of drug-drug interactions, guidelines and contraindications is challenging to be adequately evaluated in the prescription phase, especially if different doctors are involved. Clinical decision support systems aimed at polypharmacy evaluation may be crucial to recognize and correct prescribing errors.

Is the Hedgehog Pathway Involved in the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia? A Systematic Review of Current Evidence of Neural Molecular Correlates and Perspectives on Drug Development.

Among the pathophysiological correlates of schizophrenia, recent research suggests a potential role for the Hedgehog (Hh) signalling pathway, which has been traditionally studied in embryonic development and oncology. Its dysregulation may impact brain homeostasis, neuroplasticity, and potential involvement in neural processes. This systematic review provides an overview of the involvement of Hh signalling in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and antipsychotic responses.