Although our understanding of psychotic disorders has advanced substantially in the past few decades, very little has changed in the standard of care for these illnesses since the development of atypical anti-psychotics in the 1990s. Here, we integrate new insights into the pathophysiology with the increasing interest in early detection and prevention. First, we explore the role of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors in a subpopulation of cortical parvalbumin-containing interneurons (PVIs). Postmortem and preclinical data has implicated these neurons in the positive and negative symptoms, as well as the cognitive dysfunction present in schizophrenia. These neurons also appear to be sensitive to inflammation and oxidative stress during the perinatal and peripubertal periods, which may be mediated in large part by aberrant synaptic pruning. After exploring some of the molecular mechanisms through which neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are thought to exert their effects, we highlight the progress that has been made in identifying psychosis prior to onset through the identification of individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR). By combining our understanding of psychosis pathogenesis with the increasing characterization of endophenotypes that precede frank psychosis, it may be possible to identify patients before they present with psychosis and intervene to reduce the burden of the disease to both patients and families.

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a selected group exercise known as Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) on the motor and behavioral skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using a quasi-experimental design with repeated measures. Twenty-eight children with ASD (age range of 5e12 years) participated in this study. The participants were examined at baseline, pre-test, and post-test using Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP), Autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC), and Gilliam Autism Rating Scale-second edition (GARS-2). The results showed that the SPARK program significantly improved balance (static and dynamic), bilateral coordination and social interaction (p < 0.05) in children with ASD. The results of this study suggest that the SPARK's training can be considered as a therapeutic option not only for motor enhancement but also for improving social skills in children with ASD.

Almost 4% of the global population used cannabis in the past year,¹ consistent with higher rates of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD), along with a decline in its perceived risk.^2,3 Habitual cannabis use is associated with long-term changes in the brain,² making it a growing public health concern in youth, particularly given the legalization trend across the world.