Growing scientific evidence shows a link between the SLC6A4 gene and response to antidepressants. The SLC6A4 gene is involved in regulating serotonin – the brain chemical that influences everything from sleep to appetite to mood. Some genetic testing companies test SLC6A4 gene variations, promising to predict your response to antidepressants [...]
Choosing the Right PGx Test As pharmacogenetics testing becomes more widely available, it is important to understand that not all tests are the same. Different testing companies provide different recommendations with regards to applying information from PGx tests into clinical practice. It is important to understand what you are getting [...]
Medical marijuana use has been growing at a rapid rate. While cannabis has been used for pain relief for hundreds of years the evidence on its validity remains limited. Despite this, the widespread legalization and commercialization of medical marijuana has made it a popular treatment option for those suffering [...]
The risk of side effects and adverse reactions is a constant threat when physicians prescribe medication. Pharmacogenetics (PGx) tries to mitigate that risk. Traditional prescribing takes age, weight, sex, and biochemical test results when available into account. Pharmacogenetics uses genetic testing to assess variations in drug metabolizing genes to [...]
Ancestry genetic testing is a great introduction to genetics for many consumers. Direct-to-consumer ancestry tests can predict how much Neanderthal DNA you’ve inherited or that your eyes are blue rather than brown. These tests are entertaining, affordable and have changed the relationship we have with our DNA. However, ancestry [...]
An estimated 17 percent of North Americans will experience a serious bout of depression during their lifetime, and 20 percent will experience an anxiety disorder. Antidepressant medications are typically prescribed to help with six broad categories: panic attacks; obsessions and worries; general anxiety; social anxieties or phobias; and any combination of [...]
Millions of people are diagnosed with major depressive disorder every year. For roughly 30% of these individuals, standard antidepressants are not effective. People with treatment-resistant depression typically exhaust all options, trying antidepressant after antidepressant with no improvement in symptoms. Treatment-resistant patients sometimes turn to other therapies, such as cognitive [...]
We all have been there: trying to make a best decision about something really complicated, like paying hundreds of $ for a medical test not covered by the health insurance. Genetic testing for mental health medications is in this category, at least for now. After glancing over a bunch [...]
Depression is largely thought to result from chemical imbalances in the brain. Brain chemicals – such as serotonin and norephinephrine – alter our mood and can cause depression when levels are too low. Yet many researchers now believe depression is far more complex, involving many other processes. Growing evidence [...]
Pharmacogenetics is the science of how genes affect your body’s response to medications. Enzymes in the liver metabolize drugs so they can be cleared from the body. These enzymes are coded by genes, and variations in these genes can determine how individuals respond to drugs. A pharmacogenomic test, such as [...]
