• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Invitae | Genelex

Invitae | Genelex

Pharmacogenetics Makes Precision Medicine Possible

  • For Patients
    • Conditions
    • Affected Drugs
    • What is PGx?
    • Resources
    • FAQs
  • For Providers
    • Conditions
    • Resources
    • Order Testing Supplies
  • Test Menu
  • Clinical Trials
  • About
    • Lab Accreditations
    • Genelex Team
    • Contact Us
  • Log In

Genes Influence Antidepressant Effectiveness

Home / Data / Genes Influence Antidepressant Effectiveness

Genelex Blog

Genes Influence Antidepressant Effectiveness

Variations in the serotonin transporter gene SLC6A4 directly affect how patients respond to citalopram according to a Mayo Clinic Study just released in the current issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part B: Neuropsychiatric Genetics.

Researchers examined the serotonin transporter gene, or SLC6A4, in 1,914 study participants. The study showed that two variations in this gene have a direct bearing on how individuals might respond to citalopram. SLC6A4 produces a protein that plays an important role in achieving an antidepressant response.

In this study, researchers evaluated the influence of variations in SLC6A4 in response to citalopram treatment in white, black and Hispanic patients. Researchers found that white patients with two distinct gene variations were more likely to experience remission of symptoms associated with major depression. No associations between the two variations and remission were found in black or Hispanic patients.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antidepressants are the most prescribed medication in the country, but many stop taking their medication early because of negative side effects or lack of response. Pharamcogenetic testing looks at genetic variations like SLC6A4 that affect response so medications can be personalized for the patients to help avoid these treatment failures and side effects.

Dr. Mrazek, director of the Genomic Expression and Neuropsychiatric Evaluation (GENE) Unit at Mayo Clinic, stated “first, we started with trial and error - which feels like flipping a coin to select a medication. The Holy Grail would be to be able to consider the implications of variations in many genes. Ultimately, we hope to be able to determine with great accuracy which patients will respond to specific antidepressants and which patients will almost certainly not respond.”

Genelex Resources

Affected Conditions
Affected Drugs
Info for Providers
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact Genelex
Join Our Mailing List

Footer

CONTACT US

(800) 837-8362
info@genelex.com

3101 Western Ave.
Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98121

HELPFUL INFORMATION

What is PGx?
Test Menu
Conditions
Affected Drugs
FAQs
References

ABOUT GENELEX

Blog
News
Genelex Team
Lab Accreditations
Contact Us
Privacy Practices
Privacy Policy

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

KEEP IN TOUCH

Stay in the loop with news and updates from Genelex and be among the first to know when new tests become available.