Advances in the pharmacogenetic prediction of antipsychotic response.

Pharmacogenetics (investigation of a limited number of genes) and pharmacogenomic (investigation of large number of genes and their expression) strategies are being used for the identification of genetic factors contributing to response variability. Whereas pharmacogenomic investigation is producing a wealth of information that will take several years to analyse and translate into clinical advantages, pharmacogenetic research has already produced some interesting results such as the identification of metabolic polymorphisms that may be important for therapeutic doses and side-effects, and the identification of response-related mutations in drug targets. Preliminary studies have also shown that pharmacogenetic information can be used for the pre-treatment prediction of treatment response. It is expected that over the next decade these advances are introduced into clinical practice and will help to tailor psychiatric treatment to the patient's individual needs.