Functional connectivity for face processing in individuals with body dysmorphic disorder and anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and anorexia nervosa (AN) are both characterized by distorted perception of appearance. Previous studies in BDD suggest abnormalities in visual processing of own and others' faces, but no study has examined visual processing of faces in AN, nor directly compared the two disorders in this respect. METHOD: We collected functional magnetic resonance imaging data on 60 individuals of equivalent age and gender in each of three groups--20 BDD, 20 weight-restored AN, and 20 healthy controls (HC)--while they viewed images of others' faces that contained only high or low spatial frequency information (HSF or LSF). We tested hypotheses about functional connectivity within specialized sub-networks for HSF and LSF visual processing, using psychophysiological interaction analyses. RESULTS: The BDD group demonstrated increased functional connectivity compared to HC between left anterior occipital face area and right fusiform face area (FFA) for LSF faces, which was associated with symptom severity. Both BDD and AN groups had increased connectivity compared to HC between FFA and precuneous/posterior cingulate gyrus for LSF faces, and decreased connectivity between FFA and insula. In addition, we found that LSF connectivity between FFA and posterior cingulate gyrus was significantly associated with thoughts about own appearance in AN. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest similar abnormal functional connectivity within higher-order systems for face processing in BDD and AN, but distinct abnormal connectivity patterns within occipito-temporal visual networks. Findings may have implications for understanding relationships between these disorders, and the pathophysiology underlying perceptual distortions.

Review article: over-the-counter drugs and the gastrointestinal tract.

An increasing number of drugs are becoming available over-the-counter, empowering patients to treat them- selves. Although drugs presently available over-the-counter are generally safe, there are issues of safety and possible delays in diagnosis of serious conditions. Therefore it is vital that patients are made aware of the indications and limitations of over-the-counter drugs through improved communication and education. Pharmacists and drug companies will have an increasingly important role in giving information and advice to patients. This review looks at the present and future of over-the-counter medication, highlighting the safety aspects.

Clinical features, diagnosis and outcome of acute portal vein thrombosis.

The clinical features of acute portal vein thrombosis (APVT) are poorly defined in the literature. The proportion that progress to chronic PVT and the influences of various treatments are unknown. Between 1996 and 1998, nine patients presented to our hospital with varying upper gastrointestinal symptoms. They were found to have APVT by colour flow Doppler ultrasound, which was confirmed by CT scanning. All were tested for procoagulant tendencies and then treated with intravenous heparin for 7 days and warfarin for 3 months. Colour flow Doppler ultrasound or CT was done regularly to assess response to treatment. There was complete resolution of thrombus in five patients. Four patients had procoagulant tendencies identified; of these the thrombus resolved in two cases and in two cavernous transformation occurred. In most cases, the thrombus disperses on heparin and warfarin, although the effect of this therapy is unknown. A randomized trial of thrombolytic therapy may be appropriate, in an attempt to reduce the rate of progression to chronic PVT.

Paracetamol toxicity: epidemiology, prevention and costs to the health-care system.

Paracetamol has been used as an analgesic and antipyretic for many years, with toxicity first noted in the 1960s. Since then the incidence of poisoning has increased, and paracetamol is now the most common drug in self-poisoning, with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. The use, abuse and ways of reducing paracetamol toxicity are reviewed, but in view of the potential for harm, serious consideration should be given to changing the legal status of paracetamol, possibly to a prescription-only medicine.