Pharmacogenetics of major depressive disorder: top genes and pathways toward clinical applications

Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2015 Jul;17(7):50. doi: 10.1007/s11920-015-0594-9.

Abstract

The pharmacogenetics of antidepressants has been not only a challenging but also frustrating research field since its birth in the 1990s. Indeed, great expectations followed the first evidence of familiar aggregation of antidepressant response. Despite the progress from candidate gene studies to genome-wide association studies (GWAS), results fell out the expectations and they were often inconsistent. Anyway, the cumulative evidence supports the involvement of some genes and molecular pathways in antidepressant efficacy. The best single genes are SLC6A4, HTR2A, BDNF, GNB3, FKBP5, ABCB1, and cytochrome P450 genes (CYP2D6 and CYP2C19). Molecular pathways involved in inflammation and neuroplasticity show the greatest support. The first studies evaluating benefits of genotype-guided antidepressant treatments provided encouraging results and confirmed the relevance of SLC6A4, HTR2A, ABCB1, and cytochrome P450 genes. Further progress in genotyping and data analysis would allow to move forward and complete the understanding of antidepressant pharmacogenetics and its translation into clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / drug effects
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B / genetics
  • Antidepressive Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / drug effects
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / genetics
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / drug therapy*
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / genetics
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / metabolism*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
  • Neuronal Plasticity / genetics
  • Pharmacogenetics
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2 / drug effects
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2 / genetics
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / drug effects
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / genetics
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction* / genetics

Substances

  • ABCB1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B
  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT2
  • SLC6A4 protein, human
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System