On May 31, 2014, we are the only private psychiatric practice offering psychiatric oriented genetic testing in Bryan and College Station.
On 02-10-2015 we added anti psychotic and pain medications to our panel of tests offered.
Psychiatric medications like antidepressants, (Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Cymbalta, Effexor, amitriptyline, imipramine, and others), antipsychotics (Abilify, Risperdal, and others), benzodiazepine (Valium, Ativan, and others), pain medications (hydrocodone); are metabolized (chemically processed splitting into active effective chemicals and non-effective portions and then destroyed ), in of our body just like food is metabolized and what is not necessary is destroyed. This metabolism is undertaken by certain chemicals called enzymes. These reactions are determined by our genetic system and particular genes.
By testing for the metabolic effects of the genetic pathways we are able to throw more light on how the medications will work in a particular human being. It also allows us to note how two or more medications interact with each other, and whether they are likely to cause problems are not.
We offer in our practice, such pharmaco-genetic testing. This testing allows us to do the following:
1. Attempting to predict possible reactions between two medications. This will allow us to understand whether to decrease or increase dosages.
2. Assess a number of enzymes involved in medication metabolism
3. Determine why the particular patient’s response to medication is lower than what normally would be expected
4. Determine why a particular patient may have much higher side effects than others.
5. What are the particular genetic characteristic that influence the metabolism of a particular medication.
As more and more knowledge is gathered about generic pathways and how genes influence mental state and emotions, we are able to use this knowledge to benefit of her patients.
These genetic tests are performed on saliva samples. Patient is asked to swipe with a cotton swab on the two insides of the cheeks. Then this saliva is tested analyzing DNA material for enzyme pathways and how they are effecting metabolism. These tests are done confidentially, under HIPAA regulations.
We will explain to you your test results once they are available.
