DNA Diagnostics for Minimizing Metabolic Side-Effects of Antipsychotics

As many as 30% of psychiatric patients experience weight gain, central deposition of fat,
dyslipidemia, increased blood glucose and hypertension--diabetic metabolic symptoms--upon
treatment with atypical antipsychotic medication. As a result, cardiovascular disease risk
is significantly increased.

The long-term goal of this collaborative study is to identify, for each individual atypical
antipsychotic (AAP) medication, the gene variations associated with elevated risk of
diabetic metabolic symptoms (DiMS). If such genes are identified, in the future genetic
testing may help mental health care professionals choose treatment while minimizing the risk
of undesirable side effects of antipsychotics. We propose to develop a novel product termed
"Physiotype" to deliver personalized information for each patient on the drug specific risks
among aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone. The Physiotype
consists of a multi-gene ensemble of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that,
interpreted with a biomathematical algorithm, may explain most of the inter-individual
differences in DiMS among the 5 AAPs. If this study does identify related genes, genetic
tests will be developed to provide patients and health care professionals with tools to
identify those patients who are at risk of developing adverse metabolic side effects to
antipsychotics.

Inclusion Criteria:

- receiving atypical antipsychotic therapy (olanzapine, aripiprazole, quetiapine,
risperidone, or ziprasidone) for 3 months

- who have taken >50% of the prescribed dose for the last month.

Exclusion Criteria: