We have been using the Genecept Assay from Genomind for several years to help guide treatment selection in patients with either unusually high rates of side effects from medications or those who have failed multiple trials of medications.
Although the test can be expensive, costing anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to five hundred dollars or more, it is our experience that in about a third of such patients it short-circuits what can be a frustrating and debilitating process of trying medications to find the right one to treat depression.
Were happy to expand the number of options for our patients to include the Genesight assays.
As with the Genomind Assay, these are panels of tests that use a swab sample of cells from the inner cheek to test for a number of genes that may predict response to treatment.
There are some important differences between the two.
The Genesight panels have been studied more extensively than the Genomind panel.
They are covered by regular Medicare insurance (they are not covered by HMO Medicare).
Unlike the Genomind panel, Genesight has three separate panels (down from four in 2021 when the ADHD panel was folded into the psychotropic panel):
- Psychotropic panel
- Analgesic panel
- MTHFR panel
Information about the cost is on this PDF from Genesight, up to date as of 5/1/2021.
Typically we order two of these panels (Psychotropic and MTHFR) so the cost is 2 times this amount, assuming insurance doesn’t pay for them.
On the other hand, the Genomind panel includes several tests that are not included in the Genesight panels, and it was expanded even further in early 2021 with the addition of ADRA2A, CES1A1, and COMT genes.
GeneSight at Home
Launched in July 1, 2021, GeneSight created an easy-to-follow Patient Collection Kit that’s sent directly to patients to complete the GeneSight test from the comfort and privacy of their own home.
How does it work?
For More Information
Genetic Testing – This page summarizes a wealth of information about what is tested and why.
Genetic Tests for Depression Reviewed – This post provides information from a recent review of the literature on these tests.
ABCB1 Gene Predicts Antidepressant Response – This looks at a specific gene that may be helpful in predicting response to antidepressants of different types.
This folder contains information about the Genesight tests including sample reports and more information about patient billing.
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