Clinical Study Evaluating Effects of Pharmacogenetic-guided vs Standard-of-Care Treatment on Depression and/or Anxiety

A substantial number of patients taking anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications suffer from either a lack of benefit from drug therapy or severe side effects. Clinical features often fail to predict the drug response and tolerability of a patient to a prescription medication. Genetics can help guide therapeutic decisions for patients exhibiting neuropsychiatric disorders and potentially improve patient outcomes by maximizing drug efficacy and minimizing the risk of adverse events. Genetics and drug interactions can alter both the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a multitude of drug compounds and in turn influence both the safety and efficacy of selected therapeutic regimens.

This study is designed to evaluate the clinical impact of pharmacogenetic (PGx)-directed treatment. Pharmacogenetic-guided therapy selection using the IDgenetix Neuropsychiatric Test Panel can enhance patient response and tolerability by facilitating the selection of the most appropriate medication at the most effective dose in the shortest possible time.

In this prospective, multi-center, randomized, subject and outcome evaluator blind, parallel-group study patients presenting to the clinical site with evidence of depression and/or anxiety as determined by a qualified clinician will be invited to participate. Study participants will be randomized to one of two groups with respect to the IDgenetix Neuropsychiatric Test Panel result: group with testing results revealed to the medical provider prior to treatment selection (Experimental Group) or group without testing results prior to treatment selection (Control Group). Participant outcomes will be measured at baseline and throughout the 3-month duration of the study.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female subjects 18 years of age or older.
• Subjects diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety as per the DSM-V criteria or standard of care site procedures and meeting at least one of the following:

• Diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety either new to treatment or currently taking medications for less than 6 weeks.
• Inadequately controlled with medications defined as inadequate efficacy after 6 weeks of a psychotropic treatment or have discontinued psychotropic treatment due to adverse events or intolerability.
• Willing and able to comply with study procedures.
• Able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Unwilling or unable to provide written informed consent and to comply with study procedures.
• Any patient for whom providing a buccal swab sample would be contraindicated or not possible.
• Subjects diagnosed as not having anxiety or depression.
• Patients at significant risk for suicide and/or in need of immediate hospitalization as judged by the investigator.
• Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, as assessed by patient history or M.I.N.I. response.
• Diagnosis of Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective disorder, as assessed by patient history or M.I.N.I. response.
• History or diagnosis of a personality disorder, as assessed by patient history or M.I.N.I. response.
• History of physical traumatic injury (i.e., TBI) resulting in depression.
• Patients new to psychotherapy (provided by licensed and trained mental health professionals) or have not been on a stable psychotherapy regimen for at least 8 weeks.
• Patients receiving other alternative treatments such as Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS), and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS).
• Patients with a history of chronic renal dysfunction, Chronic Kidney Disease (Stage 4 or 5).
• Patients with abnormal hepatic function within the last 2 years, (INR >1.2 not attributable to anticoagulant medications, AST/aspartate aminotransferase or ALT/alanine aminotransferase >1.5x normal, or suspected cirrhosis).
• Patients with a history of malabsorption (short gut syndrome).
• Patients with any gastric or small bowel surgery less than 3 months prior to study enrollment.
• Patients with significant unstable medical condition, neurological disorders (e.g. epilepsy, Parkinson's disease or stroke) or life threatening disease.
• Patients who are currently being treated for anxiety and /or depression incorporating pharmacogenetic information.
• History of hypothyroidism unless taking a stable dose of thyroid medication and asymptomatic for 6 months.
• Patients with any significant substance use disorder as assessed by M.I.N.I. response and judged by the investigator.
• Pregnant or lactating women.