The Australian trial of Genotype-guided Pharmacotherapy for Depression (ALIGNED) Study is looking at how pharmacogenomics can help to find the right antidepressant medication for people with depression. The Study is being coordinated by the George Institute of Global Health in collaboration with myDNA and researchers across Australia.
Pharmacogenomics is a new, simple genetic test which can determine the way a person’s body will respond to medication.
AustraLIan trial of GeNotype-guided pharmacothErapy for Depression
About the Study
Depression is a common form of mental distress that affects 1 in 7 Australians in their lifetime.1 Depression can affect people in many different ways, including poor sleep, appetite changes, reduced energy, concentration and productivity, lower self-esteem; and it can also lead to other health issues. Sometimes, they might think of harming themselves. Often, they find it hard to enjoy life or be productive.2
Recovery from depression is possible with treatment options including psychotherapy (talking therapy), cognitive behavioural therapy and medication. In fact, almost 10% of Australians use antidepressants each year.3 Finding the right medication and the right dose can be challenging, often requiring several trial-and-error attempts. Approximately two thirds of people do not get better with the first medication they’re prescribed and one third of people do not recover even after four different medications are tried.4
Pharmacogenomics is a new, simple genetic test which can determine how a person will respond to medication. The ALIGNED Study (AustraLIan trial of GeNotype-guided pharmacothErapy for Depression) is looking at how pharmacogenomics can help to find the right antidepressant medication for people with depression, in order to reduce adverse effects and increase medication tolerability, improving the likelihood of recovery from depression.
Information for Participants
To be eligible to take part in the study, you will:
- Be aged 18 to 80
- Live in Australia
- Have depression
- Not currently taking antidepressant medication (although you can have taken it in the past) or thinking to change your current antidepressants
- Be willing to consider antidepressant medication treatment
The ALIGNED Study will be conducted in cooperation with your GP (or other treating doctor). The study will test if prescription of medication guided by pharmacogenomics and possibly a brain scan is better than the choice that your doctor would make, informed by the best available guidelines.
There are 4 study sessions over a period of approximately 3 months (12 weeks). All sessions will be done by videoconference e.g., ZOOM.
References:
- www.beyondblue.org.au/media/statistics
- Schofield D, et al. BJPsych Open. 2019;5:e40. doi: https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2019.26
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Patterns of Use of Mental Health Services and Prescription Medications 2016. Available from: https://bit.ly/3wVN8hZ
- Rush AJ, et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2006;163:1905. doi: https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.2006.163.11.1905