Contrasting pharmacogenetics and psychotropic responses in child and adolescent psychiatry: a case comparison.

This case comparison illustrates pharmacogenetic testing in psychotropic and clinical management in relation to the gene, which encodes the P-glycoprotein transporter affecting blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Two pediatric patients (9 and 11 years old) were selected for similar clinical presentations with opposing genotype, while they were identically matched for key CYP450, dopaminergic and serotonergic genes (, , , , ). Case A was functional for the gene ( rs1045642), suggesting that the BBB had a functional P-glycoprotein transporter.

Quetiapine for primary insomnia: Consider the risks.

The second-generation antipsychotic drug quetiapine (Seroquel) is increasingly being used off-label for treating insomnia in the general population, possibly to avoid standard medications with known addictive qualities and adverse side effects. However, evidence to support using it in this way is scant, and quetiapine is associated with weight gain and other metabolic effects. It must be used cautiously and with appropriate monitoring for adverse effects and abuse.

Pharmacogenomics: an Update for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Purpose Of Review: This paper aims to acquaint child and adolescent psychiatrists with the field of pharmacogenomics (PGX) and review the most up-to-date evidence-based practices to guide the application of this field in clinical care.

Recent Findings: Despite much research being done in this area, the field of PGX continues to yield controversial findings. In the adult world, studies have focused on the impact of combinatorial gene panels that guide medication selection by providing reports that estimate the impact of multiple pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic genes, but to date, these have not been directly examined in younger patient populations.