A brief summary of human molecular genetic techniques for clinical psychiatrists

Pre-prescription testing in psychiatry: An overview

“…On the other hand, genomewide association studies (GWASs) and next generation sequencing (NGS) emerging as hypothesis free approaches are expected to uncover additional genetic determinants of drug response phenotype (similar to studies on genetics of complex disorders). [10] Despite this changing paradigm, phase I and II drug metabolising enzymes (DMEs) and genes encoding them remain the largest group of players in the pharmacogenetics of a broad range of drugs, [11] with transporters, receptors, etc. at the target cells/tissues playing a major role at the next level (pharmacodynamics) in the drug response/non-response cascade.…”

“…Selection of candidate genes based on pharmacological/biochemical/ genetic evidence for the representative disease phenotype/ endophenotype in a hypothesis testing approach as has been previously explained. [10] Using the same principle, the concept of a gene being a likely drug target in the dopaminergic pathway for example, in the candidate gene strategy in pharmacogenetics, has been schematically presented in Figure 1. Pharmacogenetics of antipsychotic drugs being the theme in this article, the subsequent sections have been largely limited to genetic players from both pharmacokinetic (largely metabolisers) and pharmacodynamic (transporters or pre-or post-synaptic receptors from or at the site of action etc.)…”