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Pharmacogenetics: Genetics and Environment in Mental Health Study

A study investigating the use of pharmacogenetics tools in guiding the prescription of psychotropic drugs.

Psychotropic medicines, including antidepressants, antipsychotics and antimanic drugs can be very effective, but can cause side effects. These side effects may include weight gain, raised cholesterol, diabetes, sedation, movement disorders, raised prolactin, sexual dysfunction, and osteoporosis. Many patients stop taking their medicine because of them.

Genetic differences can influence the way people respond to their medicine. However, doctors do not usually consider their patients' genetics when they prescribe. Genetic testing could help to improve the way we adjust the dose of these medications and help to reduce side effects.

We are conducting a study to investigate this. Patients that take part complete questionnaires and provide a blood or saliva sample for genetic testing. This will allow us to investigate the potential benefits of using genetic testing to guide treatment choices.

credit: Louis Reed, Unsplash

What is Pharmacogenomics?

By Mayo Clinic

More about Pharmacogenomics

For Participants

The National Human Genome Research Institute | Pharmacogenomics
Your Genome | What is Pharmacogenomics?
National Genomics Education Programme | Summary for Patients and the Public

For Clinicians

National Genomics Education Programme | Introduction to Pharmacogenomics
National Genomics Education Programme | Genomic Notes for Clinicians (GeNotes)
PharmGKB | Database Overview
Clinical Pharmacogenomics Implementation Consortium (CPIC®) | Gene/Drug Clinical Practise Guidelines
NHS Foundation Trust Medicines Learning Portal | Pharmacogenomics (e-learning)
Royal College of Physicians/British Pharmacological Society | Personalised Prescribing Report

Recruitment Status

This study is currently ongoing. We are actively recruiting new participants. Please register your interest here.

Contact

For all enquiries, please contact the UCL study team at gems@ucl.ac.uk

Chief Investigator: Elvira Bramon, e.bramon@ucl.ac.uk

Trial Manager: Rosemary Abidoph, r.abidoph@ucl.ac.uk

Explainer Episodes by Genomics England

What is personalised medicine?

Professor Matt Brown, Chief Scientific Officer at Genomics England

What is genetic or genomic testing?

Ellen Thomas, Interim Chief Scientific Officer at Genomics England

Take Our Eligibility Quiz!

Eligibility Quiz

Or click here if you are using a laptop.