Genetic Influences on Pharmacodynamic Properties of Psychotropic Drugs

Abstract

Most of the well-known examples of pharmacogenetics are based on differences of biotransformation and elimination of drugs. Since a drug interacts with a genetically determined biological target, hereditary differences on the pharmacodynamic level are also probable. Especially psychotropics show interindividual variation in their pharmacological effects. The differential effects of psychotropic drugs on the EEG presumably reflect genetic differences of brain function. Lithium transport across the erythrocyte membrane exhibits large interindividual differences that have a genetic basis, and that possibly indicate a link between lithium transport and manic-depressive psychosis.