By a GenomeWeb staff reporter

NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – The Massachusetts General Hospital is starting a major study aimed at guiding treatment of patients suffering from treatment-resistant major depressive disorder.

The study, which is using genetic biomarker data to compare standard treatment with assay-guided treatment in inpatient adults with treatment-resistant depression, will use Genomind's Genecept Assay. The technology combines a proprietary panel of genetic tests with an analytical report to clinicians.

The primary objective of the study is to improve depressive symptoms from baseline to six months, Genomind said. Other goals are to change clinician behavior and reduce costs.

Researchers will focus on pharmacogenetic genotyping of metabolic activity, which can then be used to guide treatment of patients with antidepressants. Also, genome-wide association study analysis will be performed in the future to identify biomarkers that may be predictive of patient response to and tolerance of certain therapeutics.

Recruitment of patients begins immediately.

Based in Chalfont, Penn., Genomind specializes in neuropsychiatric personalized medicine using genetic information.

Read this article:
Mass Gen Begins Study on Depression Treatment Response Using Genetic Biomarker Data

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