title: Common genetic, clinical, demographic and psychosocial predictors of response to pharmacotherapy in mood and anxiety disorders.
abstract: The aim of this study is to summarize available knowledge about common genetic, clinical, demographic and psychosocial predictors of response to pharmacotherapy in mood and anxiety disorders. A literature search was carried out by using MEDLINE and references of selected articles. The search included articles published up to March 2008. The main genetic finding concerns the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphisms, the long variant of which seems to be related to a positive response to therapy in mood disorders and could also have a role in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Among other predictors, the main factors common to both classes of disorder are comorbid axis II disorders and early onset of illness, which are related to a worse response to therapy and concomitant good physical conditions, absence of earlier treatments, early administration and response to therapies, and higher self- directedness, which is related to a better outcome. Many common predictors have been identified and these seem to be related to features covering the totality of patients that go beyond specific characteristics of single disorders. Possible limitations and suggestions for future research based on a more integrated vision of human complexity are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy. alessandro.serretti@unibo.it
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Serretti
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chiesa
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Calati
authors.forename: Giampaolo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bellodi
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Ronchi
mesh_terms: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D015415:Biomarkers; D015897:Comorbidity; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D011584:Psychology; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins