Integrative clinico-biological, pharmacogenetic, neuroimagistic, neuroendocrinological and psychological correlations in depressive and anxiety disorders

Rom J Morphol Embryol. 2017;58(3):767-775.

Abstract

We approach the theme of modern treatment strategies, based on clinico-biological, pharmacogenetic, neuroimagistic, neuroendocrinological and psychological integrative correlations in the management of depressive and comorbid anxiety disorders. We target to evaluate the efficacy of the pharmacogenetic testing and the evolution, functioning of patients in correlation with specific neurobiological, neuroimagistic and neuroendocrinological markers. Our research was conducted between 2010-2016 on 80 children and adolescents with depressive and comorbid anxiety disorders - 40 children (G1 group), who benefited in choosing the pharmacotherapy from pharmacogenetic testing and 40 children without testing (G2 group). Also, the patients were evaluated through magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy at baseline and after pharmacotherapy. The efficacy of the chosen therapy in correlation with the pharmacogenetic testing was evaluated through the mean change in the CDRS (Children's Depression Rating Scale) total scores, in the CGI-S÷I (Clinical Global Impression - Severity÷Improvement), CGAS (Children's Global Assessment Scale) and through the change of the relevant neurobiological markers and MR spectroscopy metabolites. We evaluated the side effects through the PAERS (Pediatric Adverse Events Rating Scale)-Clinician. Our results show statistically significant differences of the clinical scores between the studied groups: for those subjects who benefited of pharmacogenetic testing, the CDRS, the global functioning scores prove a higher clinical improvement, a better compliance and lower PAERS side effects scores and also improvement concerning the MR spectroscopy dosed metabolites values. Our research was a proof sustaining the use of the pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice and the value of investigating relevant neurobiological, neuroimagistic and neuroendocrinological markers for a personalized therapy in depressive disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety Disorders*
  • Depressive Disorder*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pharmacogenetics / methods*