Mental health conditions like anxiety, ADHD, and depression impact millions of Australians. Around 3.3 million people in Australia live with anxiety and approximately 1.5 million people in Australia live with depression*
Finding the right medication and the right dosage can be frustrating and often involving a lengthy trial and error process. It is estimated that only 50% of individuals respond to their first-line antidepressant treatment And complete remission is only achieved in 30 to 35% of individuals.^
This is where pharmacogenomics, the study of how genes affect a person’s response to medications, offers a beacon of hope.
The Challenge of “One-Size-Fits-All”
A ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to prescribing psychiatric medications often fails because we all process medications differently. Our unique genetic makeup, our pharmacogenomics, plays a huge role. Variations in our genes affect how our bodies handle these medications, impacting both how well they work and whether we experience side effects. This means that what works wonders for one person might do little for another, or even cause harm. That’s why personalized medicine, guided by pharmacogenomics, is so important in mental health.
Pharmacogenomics: A Personalised Approach
Pharmacogenomic testing analyses specific genes related to drug metabolism and response. This information can help clinicians:
- Predict drug response: Identify medications likely to be effective for an individual.
- Optimise dosage: Determine the appropriate starting dose and adjust it based on genetic profile.
- Minimize side effects: Avoid medications with a high risk of adverse reactions for a particular patient.
- Reduce trial and error: Shorten the time it takes to find an effective treatment.
Applications in Mental Health
Pharmacogenomic testing is particularly relevant for:
- Depression: Genes influencing serotonin and norepinephrine pathways can predict response to antidepressants like SSRIs and SNRIs.
- Anxiety: Genes related to GABA receptors and serotonin transporters can guide the selection of anxiolytics.
- ADHD: Genes affecting dopamine and norepinephrine pathways can inform the choice of stimulants and non-stimulants.
- Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: Genes involved in dopamine and serotonin regulation can help optimize antipsychotic and mood stabilizer treatment.
What to Expect from Pharmacogenomic Testing
Our process is a simple cheek swab. The sample is sent to our accredited Melbourne laboratory for analysis. Your report is sent to your nominated healthcare professional, who uses the information to guide medication decisions.
Benefits for Patients
- Faster symptom relief: Finding the right medication sooner could improve quality of life.
- Reduced side effects: Minimizing adverse reactions could enhance medication adherence.
- Increased treatment efficacy: Optimising dosage and medication selection could improve overall outcomes.
- Empowerment: Patients could gain a deeper understanding of their individual response to medication.
Considerations
- Cost: Our dedicated Mental Health test is $149 and health insurance companies in Australia are starting to implement rebates for pharmacogenomics.
- Ongoing research: The field is rapidly evolving, and new genetic markers are continuously being discovered.
- Complexity of mental illness: Environmental and lifestyle factors also play a significant role in mental health.
The Future of Personalised Medicine
Pharmacogenomics is paving the way for a more personalised and precise approach to mental health treatment. As research advances and testing becomes more accessible, it has the potential to revolutionize how we manage psychiatric conditions.
- Pharmacogenomics analyses genetic variations to predict drug response.
- It could help optimize medication selection and dosage for anxiety, ADHD, depression, and other mental health conditions.
If you are struggling with mental health medication, talk to your doctor about whether pharmacogenomic testing might be right for you.
*https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/statistics
^https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression ( Day Two: Placebo Workshop: Translational Research Domains and Key Questions – National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH))