Genetic Testing

One of the areas of greatest interest in medicine these days is the idea of using genetic tests to customize treatment.

This is called pharmacogenetics and it involves taking a sample (cheek swab, saliva sample) and then doing an analysis of the genes in the cells in that sample.

One of the most highly regarded companies providing this service is Genomind. We have been using their Genecept test panel for several years in some of the patients who see us. Usually we do this panel on patients who have failed to respond to a few trials of medications, or who have had unusual or serious side effects when taking medications.

The Genecept test panel evaluates two types of genes:

Cytochrome P450 genes
Other genes linked to mood symptoms and treatment response

Cytochrome P450 Genes

Cytochrome P450 genes are probably the best studied assays in clinical care. For certain conditions and medications doing CP450 genotyping is the standard of treatment.

The Genecept test panel includes Cytochrome P450 2D6, 2C 19 and 3A4/5. Information from this test can indicate whether someone taking a medication metabolized by one of these three enzymes is likely to have unusually high, or unusually low, blood levels when taking a given dose.

Cytochrome P450 2D6

Cytochrome P450 2D6 is involved in the metabolism of a large number of psychiatric medications, including:

Antidepressants	All tricyclic antidepressants, e.g. imipramine, amitriptyline, nortryptiline, desipramine… Most SSRIs (antidepressant), e.g. fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), fluvoxamine (Luvox) venlafaxine (Effexor), duloxetine (Cymbalta), mirtazapine (Remeron)
Antipsychotics	haloperidol (Haldol), risperidone (Risperdal), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), iloperidone (Fanapt), aripiprazole (Abilify)
Others	Many opiates, many beta blockers

Cytochrome P450 2D6 activity is rated as:

poor metabolizer – little or no CYP2D6 function
intermediate metabolizers – metabolize drugs at a rate somewhere between the poor and extensive metabolizers
extensive metabolizer – normal CYP2D6 function
ultrarapid metabolizer – multiple copies of the CYP2D6 gene are expressed, and therefore greater-than-normal CYP2D6 function

Cytochrome P450 2C19

Cytochrome P450 2C19 is involved in the metabolism of a shorter list of psychiatric medications including –

Antidepressants such as amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, citalopram (Celexa), moclobemide, and bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Other medications including diazepam (Valium)

Cytochrome P450 3A4/5

Cytochrome P450 3A4/5 is involved in the metabolism of a large group of psychiatric medications

tricyclic antidepressants	amitriptyline, clomipramine, imipramine, cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
SSRI antidepressants	citalopram (Celexa), norfluoxetine and fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft)
other antidepressants	mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), venlafaxine (Effexor), trazodone
antipsychotics	haloperidol (Haldol), aripiprazole (Abilify), risperidone (Risperdal), ziprasidone (Geodon), quetiapine (Seroquel)
benzodiazepines	alprazolam (Xanax), triazolam (Halcion)
other hypnotics	zopiclone (Lunesta), zolpidem (Ambien), zaleplon (Sonata)
other medications	many opiates, statins, calcium channel blockers, sex hormones including the oral contraceptive

Cytochrome P450 3A4/5 is also the reason why you may have been warned not to drink grapefruit juice while taking certain medicines… grapefruit juice is an inhibitor of this enzyme.

Other Genes

Many other genes are in the assay including –

Serotonin Transporter

The serotonin transporter is responsible for the reuptake of serotonin from the synapse (SLC6A4). It is the primary target of SSRIs and people with short/short alleles may have a greater risk of adverse reactions or delayed response to SSRIs.

This is one of the best studied genes in psychiatry. It is clear that the short/short allele is associated with increased risk of anxiety, depression and PTSD. It is also clear that it is associated with more adverse effects with SSRIs. Unfortunately, there are relatively few psychiatric medications that do not affect serotonin and sometimes the finding of a short/short allele may be a sign of the need to very careful about prescribing an SSRI rather than an absolute contraindication to using the medication… or may indicate the odds of a preferential response to a medication that combines serotonin reuptake inhibition with serotonin receptor blocking effects.

The short/short variant is also not uncommon.

Among people of Central European ancestry 19% of people have the S/S genotype and 49% have the heterozygous L/S genotype. This percentage is lower among those of either Asian or African ancestry.

Some references

Serotonin Receptor 2C

The 2c serotonin receptor (5HT2C) is involved in the regulation of satiety and hunger. It is antagonized by atypical antipsychotics and this may be the cause of weight gain and other metabolic side effects. People with certain forms of this gene may need to use caution with atypical antipsychotics and there is some evidence that inositol may be used to mitigate risk for weight gain if atypical antipsychotics need to be used.

Dopamine 2 Receptor

The dopamine 2 (DRD2) receptor is activated by dopamine in the brain and is antagonized by antipsychotic medications. People with certain genotypes may need to use caution with antipsychotics.

Calcium Channel

The calcium channel (CACNA1C) regulates the entry of calcium into the cell to mediate excitatory signaling. Certain genotypes are associated with conditions characterized by mood instability/lability. Atypical antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and/or omega-3 fatty acids may be used if clinically indicated.

Sodium Channel

(ANK3) Plays a critical role in sodium channel function and regulation of excitatory signaling. Certain genotypes are associated with conditions characterized by mood instability/lability. Mood stabilizers and/or omega-3 fatty acids may be used if clinically indicated.

Catechol-O-Methyltransferase

Catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) is primarily responsible for the degradation of dopamine in frontal lobes of the brain. Altered dopamine states can have emotional and behavioral effects. Dopaminergic agents or TMS may be used if clinically indicated for Val/Val patients. Use caution with dopaminergic agents in Met/Met patients and SAMe may be used if clinically indicated. For more on this topic see my post on SAMe.

Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is the predominant enzyme which converts folic acid to active form of folate (methylfolate). Methylfolate is a precursor for synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Methylfolate may be used if clinically indicated.

For more information

Genetic Testing for Depression Drugs

Genetic Testing Guides Treatment for Bipolar and Depression