New study links stress hormone gene to poor response to Celexa


Filed Under Medication, Overcome Depression | Jul 16, MDT 12:17 pm

citalopram The Mayo Clinic recently released a study on how variations in SLC6A4, the serotonin transporter gene, altered the way patients responded to the anti-depressant Celexa. A new study published in Biological Psychiatry shows how variations in FKBP5, a gene that has influence over a class of stress hormones known as glucocorticoids, also alters how patients responded to Celexa (otherwise known as citalopram).

The FKBP5 gene has been linked to dissociative symptoms in traumatized children, and  childhood maltreatment has been linked to poor responses to anti-depressant treatment. A relationship exists between this gene, childhood abuse, and resistance to certain anti-depressant treatments.  Scientists now have the task of figuring that relationship out.

The pharmacogenetic field is growing fast, and new studies are coming out every day that flesh out how genetic differences account in part for the different responses people have to the medications they take.

In the near future, doctors will only prescribe drugs once they have a thorough understanding of the genetic profile of their patient.