Pharmacogenetics in mood disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Not all patients with mood disorder respond well to drug treatment. Emerging data suggest that genetic mechanisms could be involved. We searched the literature database and highlighted recent molecular genetic studies pertaining to drug response in mood disorders.


RESULTS
Recent pharmacogenetic studies in mood disorders have reported generally positive findings supporting the view that genotyping may improve the confidence of prospectively identifying treatment response and adverse outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The evidence documenting genotype-based response to drug treatment is rapidly expanding. Genes encoding target receptors and signal transduction systems may predict the efficacy of drug therapy in mood disorders. Additional predictors of treatment response in bipolar disorder may include the immediate early genes, mitochondrial genes and epigenetic mechanisms, although some of these studies are still preliminary.
Nnadi
Charles U
CU
The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York 11004, USA.
Goldberg
Joseph F
JF
Malhotra
Anil K
AK