The DNA test that could help young people beat depression

A pilot study by local researchers has found a promising tool to support young people with depression. The GENE-YD pilot trial conducted at the Perron Institute in Nedlands found pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing showed potential as a tool to support antidepressant prescribing for young people with depression, with early indications that it may improve clinical outcomes.

Findings published in Nature’s portfolio journal Translational Psychiatry this month said the trial also showed feasibility for a larger study comparing PGx-guided antidepressant prescribing with “treatment as usual” in young Australians with depression. According to the institute, pharmacogenetic testing is a personalised medicine approach that examines how a person’s genetic makeup may influence their response to certain medications, and can provide an additional source of information for clinicians when prescribing medication.

The paper was published by a team of 13 researchers, including first author Bradley Roberts, a PhD candidate at the Perron Institute and University of WA. Aussie scientists drive cancer vaccine discovery “Findings from our pilot study, thought to be the first trial of its kind to implement a triple-blind trial design, suggest that pharmacogenetic testing may offer a practical way to make those early prescribing decisions more personalised,” Mr Roberts said.

“Our triple-blind trial design meant the patients, clinicians and researchers were not aware who received gene-guided treatment versus standard care, to ensure maximum objectivity and minimise bias. “We also found encouraging early signs that PGx-guided prescribing may improve symptoms, reduce side effects and support quality of life.” Camera Icon Bradley Roberts at the Perron Institute with his research paper.

Credit: Jarryd Gardner Mr Roberts said finding the right antidepressant could be a long and difficult process, with delays during young people’s important developmental stage potentially affecting their education, relationship building and everyday life, as well as trust in subsequent treatment processes.

“When used alongside clinical judgement, PGx offers an opportunity to personalise prescribing and potentially reduce the trial-and-error often involved in finding a well-tolerated and effective treatment,” he said. “With antidepressants now among Australia’s most commonly prescribed medicines, it is increasingly important that they are prescribed as safely and effectively as possible.

“Even modest improvements in choosing a suitable medication earlier could reduce unnecessary medication-related side effects and help young people reach an effective treatment sooner.” Matilda Bay ferry terminal project to go to Parliament House North Metropolitan Health Service psychiatrist and Suicide Prevention and Resilience Research Centre co-director Sean Hood was one of three senior authors of the paper.

“This work makes a significant contribution to the development of precision medicine in psychiatry — so that we can choose the right medication for the right patient at the right time,” Prof Hood said. The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation is funding a new study, PGx-ADAPT — informed by studies including the GENE-YD project — that will run across metropolitan and rural WA to co-design and pilot a model for doctors to prescribe antidepressants using PGx guidance.

Mr Roberts said the recent study was a small pilot so larger trials were needed. “But these early results give us a promising basis to test whether this approach can make a meaningful difference in routine care,” he said.