Depression Treatments Depend on Genes
Results from the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression, or STAR*D study has found several genes that may determine a depression patient’s response to treatment. DNA samples from over 1900 patients with major depression on the antidepressant citalopram were analyzed. Researchers found:
- Individuals who carried two copies of the polymorphism in the serotonin gene associated with response were 18% more likely to respond to treatment than those who did not.
- Polymorphisms in 2 other genes – a receptor for the brain chemical glutamate and a protein involved in neurogenesis – were also associated with treatment effectiveness. Patients who carried all 3 response-associated polymorphisms were 40% more likely to respond to treatment than those who carried none of them.
And in a quote that makes an appropriate follow-up to my previous post today about pharmacogenetics, Dr. Thomas Insel, Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) said:
This is the beginning of a new generation of studies to help clinicians personalize treatment. I predict that genomics will be an important tool for future psychiatrists treating people with depression just as it is being used today by oncologists selecting treatments for breast cancer or lymphoma.
Ultimately, our goal is to put together a panel of genetic markers that can guide treatment decisions and help doctors choose an antidepressant that will work best for an individual patient.
Sounds most excellent.
NB: Life is so inane. Correction. MY life is so inane. Here I am tooling along thinking everything’s great, when it obviously isn’t especially not for Grrl Scientist over at Living the Scientific Life. Little did I know that she’s been in a state psychiatric institute since early August. I can’t believe I didn’t notice. Granted, I only catch half of her prolific blogging output on any given week, most of which was unrelated to her mental health condition, but I still can’t believe I didn’t offer her any support until today when I read that she’s being released soon. Grrl Scientist was diagnosed with very rapidly cycling bipolar I disorder; cycling between happiness and exuberance to depression and despair. I hope everyone who reads this will send her some love. She could sure use it right now and deserves every bit and more.
EurekAlert!, December 6, 2006
Photo Credit: King County
Technorati Tags: grrl scientist, depression, bipolar, mental health, genetics, genes, dna, serotonin, glutamate, diseases, illness, health
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Genetic Testing, Genetics of Disease
.gif)
2 opinions for Depression Treatments Depend on Genes
Joseph Vincent Jr
Jan 16, 2008 at 7:18 am
You may have a gene that makes you more at risk but you get into a healthy relationship or get out of a bad one and let you past go, you can do wonders for your so called depression.
Seth Turner
Feb 27, 2008 at 12:44 pm
That previous post I thinkis right on. With all the advertisements on TV and in magazines,it is no wonder why people are depressed.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: