{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,12]],"date-time":"2026-09-12T00:07:08Z","timestamp":1789171628273,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":38,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,26]],"date-time":"2022-06-26T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1656201600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JPM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background: There are no data available on the levels of genetic networks between obsessive\u2013compulsive disorder (OCD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). To this point, we aimed to investigate common mechanisms and pathways using bioinformatics approaches to find novel genes that may be involved in the pathogenesis of OCD in MS. Methods: To obtain gene\u2013gene interactions for MS and OCD, the STRING database was used. Cytoscape was then used to reconstruct and visualize graphs. Then, ToppGene and Enrichr were used to identify the main pathological processes and pathways involved in MS-OCD novel genes. Additionally, to predict transcription factors and microRNAs (miRNAs), the Enrichr database and miRDB database were used, respectively. Results: Our bioinformatics analysis showed that the signal transducer and the activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (NTRK2) genes had connections with 32 shared genes between MS and OCD. Furthermore, STAT3 and NTRK2 had the greatest enrichment parameters (i.e., molecular function, cellular components, and signaling pathways) among ten hub genes. Conclusions: To summarize, data from our bioinformatics analysis showed that there was a significant overlap in the genetic components of MS and OCD. The findings from this study make two contributions to future studies. First, predicted mechanisms related to STAT3 and NTRK2 in the context of MS and OCD can be investigated for pharmacological interventions. Second, predicted miRNAs related to STAT3 and NTRK2 can be tested as biomarkers in MS with OCD comorbidity. However, our study involved bioinformatics research; therefore, considerable experimental work (e.g., postmortem studies, case\u2013control studies, and cohort studies) will need to be conducted to determine the etiology of OCD in MS from a mechanistic view.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jpm12071043","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,26]],"date-time":"2022-06-26T09:00:13Z","timestamp":1656234013000},"page":"1043","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":8,"title":["STAT3 and NTRK2 Genes Predicted by the Bioinformatics Approach May Play Important Roles in the Pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis and Obsessive\u2013Compulsive Disorder"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"12","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5550-3639","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ali","family":"Sepehrinezhad","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran"},{"name":"Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9919991766, Iran"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5222-4792","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ali","family":"Shahbazi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran"},{"name":"Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ali","family":"Bozorgmehr","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Iran Psychiatric Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Babak","family":"Kateb","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Middle East Brain + Initiative, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA"},{"name":"National Center for Nanobioelectronics, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA"},{"name":"Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vicky","family":"Yamamoto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA"},{"name":"Brain Technology and Innovation Park, Los Angeles, CA 90272, USA"},{"name":"USC-Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC-Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-2242-9794","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Sajad Sahab","family":"Negah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9919991766, Iran"},{"name":"Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad 9919991766, Iran"},{"name":"Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran 1996835911, Iran"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,6,26]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"36","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1468-3083.2007.02324.x","article-title":"The levels of depression, anxiety and quality of life in patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria","volume":"22","author":"Engin","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. 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