Effect of Pharmacogenomic Testing on Pediatric Mental Health Outcome: A 6-Month Follow-Up

Abstract

Aim: This retrospective, case–control study evaluated the effect of pharmacogenomic testing (PGT) on the management of pediatrics with anxiety, major depressive disorder (MDD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: The authors examined psychiatric diagnoses, medication histories, CYP450 profiles, SLC6A4, HTR2A, COMT and MTHFR. Results: The authors found no difference in clinical improvement between the two groups. However, the number of medication changes was significantly larger after PGT. The treatment response in MDD and anxiety was not different between the groups, while ADHD treatment response was substantially improved in PGT and correlated with COMT status. Conclusion: PGT had some value with ADHD with doubtful benefit for MDD or anxiety disorders. Accordingly, pediatric indications must be weighed against cost, utility and clinician experience. Limitations included sample size and selection bias.

Keywords::

• ADHD
• anxiety
• COMT
• CYP2D6
• CYP450
• depression
• genomically assisted prescribing
• methodology
• Pediatric
• pharmacogenomic testing

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.futuremedicine.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/pgs-2022-0131

Acknowledgments

This paper and the research behind it would not have been possible without the assistance of child psychiatrists JV Reddy, EA Hay and E Dreyfus. Their participation in the initial screening and follow-up of research subjects was essential for this work. However, the content is solely the authors’ responsibility and does not necessarily represent their views.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

AZ Elmaadawi receives research support from Duke University and the University of Northwestern. He received research funding from JNJ; Neurocrine, Inc.; and Livanova. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financialinvolvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

AZ Elmaadawi receives research support from Duke University and the University of Northwestern. He received research funding from JNJ; Neurocrine, Inc.; and Livanova. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financialinvolvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.