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Hunting for the Prozac Gene
October 28, 2009Prozac works wonders for some depressed people, but not for others. In some cases, patients derive little benefit and at worst, it can lead to bizarre hallucinations and fits of rage. Researchers and doctors remain puzzled as to what causes the wide range of reaction to Prozac and similar antidepressants.
The answer, Tel Aviv University researchers believe, can be found in a patient's genes. And if their research is successful, these scientists may be able to provide psychiatrists with a simple genetic test to revolutionize the treatment of depression.
Hunting for "the Prozac gene" - its response biomarker, in science-speak - is the foundation of a new Tel Aviv University project established by a unique biobank in TAU's Sackler School of Medicine. Initiated by the biobank's director Dr. David Gurwitz, and his student Ayelet Morag, the researchers are attempting to discover reliable pharmacogenic markers for antidepressants such as Prozac.
"Many drugs for treating depression are on the market," says Dr. Gurwitz. "The most popular ones - including Prozac - are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). But they only work for about 60% of people with depression. A drug from other families of antidepressants could be effective for the other 40%," he says. "We are working to move the treatment of depression from a trial-and-error approach to a best-fit, personalized regimen."
A genetic basis for psychiatric treatment
Dr. Gurwitz says the key is in our genes, and the first step to unlocking the puzzle lies in discovering relevant biomarkers, the biological elements in blood or DNA that provide clues for disease or conditions such as blood glucose in diabetes, blood pressure in heart disease, and hormones released in pregnancy. Clinicians already base treatments for cancer patients on genetic tests. This has proven especially useful for breast-cancer, where drugs such as Tamoxifen or Herceptin are prescribed only after genetic tests show that they would benefit the patient.
"Why not embrace the same approach for treating depression?" he asks. "We've designed an experiment to search for elements that can determine who will - and who won't - benefit from drugs such as Prozac," says Dr. Gurwitz.
An effective response to "extreme responders"
The researchers will explore "whole-genome gene expression profiles" in cell lines from healthy people. Since Prozac and similar antidepressants are known to inhibit the growth of blood cells, they are now screening a large collection of cell lines to determine which have the strongest and weakest growth-inhibition responses to SSRIs like Prozac. Those cells that exhibit extreme responses will then be screened across the entire human genome, to find out which genetic make-up works best with SSRIs.
Dr. Gurwitz believes that among our 25,000 human genes, only a few hundred will show a difference between the two types of "extreme responder" cells. In the next phase of their study, they will explore which of those "hits" can be valuable clinical biomarkers for the response to Prozac, a study that can subsequently be done by psychiatrists.
"Ours is a unique model because it does not make presumptions," says Dr. Gurwitz. "Research on Prozac response biomarkers over the past 20 years has focused on genes related to the brain metabolism of serotonin, long suspected as the cause of depression," he adds. "However, after many years of research with this focus, it is now obvious that the approach has failed. We realize that we must look at the entire repertoire of human genes."
"Psychiatric pharmacology remains a black box," says Dr. Gurwitz. "Nobody knows why some people respond to Prozac-type SSRI anti-depressants, while others are helped by other kinds of antidepressants. The World Health Organization predicts by the year 2020, costs and lost productivity from depression will exceed those of cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of health expenditure in developed countries. We hope to produce a clear test for antidepressant drug responses to improve the odds for successful treatment."
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
"Many drugs for treating depression are on the market," says Dr. Gurwitz. "The most popular ones - including Prozac - are the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). But they only work for about 60% of people with depression. A drug from other families of antidepressants could be effective for the other 40%," he says. "We are working to move the treatment of depression from a trial-and-error approach to a best-fit, personalized regimen."
A genetic basis for psychiatric treatment
Dr. Gurwitz says the key is in our genes, and the first step to unlocking the puzzle lies in discovering relevant biomarkers, the biological elements in blood or DNA that provide clues for disease or conditions such as blood glucose in diabetes, blood pressure in heart disease, and hormones released in pregnancy. Clinicians already base treatments for cancer patients on genetic tests. This has proven especially useful for breast-cancer, where drugs such as Tamoxifen or Herceptin are prescribed only after genetic tests show that they would benefit the patient.
"Why not embrace the same approach for treating depression?" he asks. "We've designed an experiment to search for elements that can determine who will - and who won't - benefit from drugs such as Prozac," says Dr. Gurwitz.
An effective response to "extreme responders"
The researchers will explore "whole-genome gene expression profiles" in cell lines from healthy people. Since Prozac and similar antidepressants are known to inhibit the growth of blood cells, they are now screening a large collection of cell lines to determine which have the strongest and weakest growth-inhibition responses to SSRIs like Prozac. Those cells that exhibit extreme responses will then be screened across the entire human genome, to find out which genetic make-up works best with SSRIs.
Dr. Gurwitz believes that among our 25,000 human genes, only a few hundred will show a difference between the two types of "extreme responder" cells. In the next phase of their study, they will explore which of those "hits" can be valuable clinical biomarkers for the response to Prozac, a study that can subsequently be done by psychiatrists.
"Ours is a unique model because it does not make presumptions," says Dr. Gurwitz. "Research on Prozac response biomarkers over the past 20 years has focused on genes related to the brain metabolism of serotonin, long suspected as the cause of depression," he adds. "However, after many years of research with this focus, it is now obvious that the approach has failed. We realize that we must look at the entire repertoire of human genes."
"Psychiatric pharmacology remains a black box," says Dr. Gurwitz. "Nobody knows why some people respond to Prozac-type SSRI anti-depressants, while others are helped by other kinds of antidepressants. The World Health Organization predicts by the year 2020, costs and lost productivity from depression will exceed those of cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of health expenditure in developed countries. We hope to produce a clear test for antidepressant drug responses to improve the odds for successful treatment."
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Prozac Current Events and Prozac News RSSStudy reveals an increase in long-term antidepressant drug use
A dramatic rise in antidepressant prescriptions issued by GPs has been caused by a year on year increase in the number of people taking antidepressant drugs on a long-term basis, according to researchers from the University of Southampton.
New mouse model of depression/anxiety enhances understanding of antidepressant drugs
A recent study finds that the antidepressant effects of drugs like Prozac involve both neurogenesis-dependent and -independent mechanisms, a finding that may lead to development of better treatments for depression and anxiety.
Not Just for Depression Anymore
Prozac is regularly prescribed to ease the emotional pain of patients who are being treated for cancer. But can this common anti-depressant help to fight cancer itself?
Potential new targets for antidepressant medications
The news about antidepressant medications over the past several years has been mixed. The bad news from large multicenter studies such as STAR*D is that current antidepressant medications are effective, but not as effective as one might hope. Thus, there is a significant need for new treatment mechanisms for depression.
Antidepressants may impair driving ability, new research finds
People taking prescription antidepressants appear to drive worse than people who aren't taking such drugs, and depressed people on antidepressants have even more trouble concentrating and reacting behind the wheel.
Antidepressants enhance neuronal plasticity in the visual system
In the April 18 issue of Science, scientists from the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Italy and the Neuroscience Centre at the University of Helsinki, Finland, provide new information about the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs.
Treating SSRI-Resistant Depression
When your antidepressant medication does not work, should you switch to a different medication from the same class or should you try an antidepressant medication that has a different mechanism of action? This is the question asked by researchers in a new report scheduled for publication in Biological Psychiatry on April 1st.
Comparison of venlafaxine and SSRIs in the treatment of depression
There are numerous antidepressant medications currently on the market, but sadly, many patients still experience the debilitating symptoms of depression even with treatment.
As depression symptoms improve with antidepressants, hopelessness can linger
People taking medication for depression typically see a lot of improvements in their symptoms during the first few months, but lagging behind other areas is a sense of hopefulness, according to new research from the University of Michigan Health System.
Europe to tackle brain disorder research by linking industry, academia
Attempts to cure brain-related disorders have proved less successful than therapies for other major conditions such as heart cancer, even though just as many people suffer from them.
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Anxietol 7 (60 Caps) - Reduces Symptoms of Stress, Anxiety, and Depression. by Medabiotics Laboratories If you've answered yes to one or more of the questions above... You may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. Now you can regain control of your life with Nonprescription Anxietol 7. Anxietol 7 is an 100% all natural product that effectively addresses the diverse and debilitating symptoms of STRESS, ANXIETY, and DEPRESSION. Anxietol 7 is not a prescription antidepressant like Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Effexor. Anxietol 7 designed to treat you safely and naturally without the worries you may find with prescription medications and their unwanted side effects. Clinically Proven Ingredients. Suntheanine and Sensoril represent just two of the vitally important natural ingredients contained in the Anxietol 7 proprietary formula. What separates Anxietol 7 from other... |
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Prozac Backlash: Overcoming the Dangers of Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Other Antidepressants with Safe, Effective Alternatives by Joseph Glenmullen (Author) Roughly 28 million Americans -- one in every ten -- have taken Prozac, Zoloft, or Paxil or a similar antidepressant, yet very few patients are aware of the dangers of these drugs, nor are they aware that better, safer alternatives exist. Now Harvard Medical School's Dr. Joseph Glenmullen documents the ominous long-term side effects associated with these and other serotonin-boosting medications. These side effects include neurological disorders, such as disfiguring facial and whole-body tics that can indicate brain damage; sexual dysfunction in up to 60 percent of users; debilitating withdrawal symptoms, including visual hallucinations, electric shock-like sensations in the brain, dizziness, nausea, and anxiety; and a decrease of antidepressant effectiveness in about 35 percent of... |
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Mood Sync® Serotonin Link 60 capsules by Pain & Stress Center Products Mood Sync is more effective than SAMe because it creates needed neurotransmitters in the brain. Mood Syncs special formula contains: Tyrosine, an amino acid, that provides dopamine and norepinephrine. GABA, the anxiety amino acid. Glutamine, a major inhibitory neurotransmitter. Taurine, an amino acid, needed by body in times of stress. 5-HTP is The Serotonin Link.® B6, the cofactor that activates amino acids. Mood Sync was researched and developed by Dr. Billie Sahley for todays stressful life-style. Feel better, think better, live better with Mood Sync. Serotonin is the master neurotransmitter and major influence on mind, mood, memory, and behavior. Serotonin decreases the craving for carbohydrates and helps us keep a positive mood. |
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Talking Back To Prozac: What Doctors Aren't Telling You About Today's Most Controversial Drug by Peter Breggin (Author) Millions of Americans are on it to treat everything from serious depression to shyness, obesity, PMS, and back pain. They've been told it has few, or no, side effects. But what is the dark side of Prozac? Has the FDA told you everything it knows about the drug's potentially dangerous side effects? What essential facts must you have if you are already taking Prozac, or are considering taking it? Find out: -What Prozac's label won't tell you -The truth about serious and life-threatening reactions -Cases of sexual dysfunction from Prozac, particularly in men -If Prozac can lead to violence, murder, or suicide -The panic and anxiety Prozac can cause-not cure -What Prozac has in common with cocaine and amphetamines |
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Prozac Nation Starring: Christina Ricci, Jason Biggs, Anne Heche, Michelle Williams, Jonathan Rhys Meyers Directed By: Erik Skjoldbjærg Award winners Christina Ricci (CURSED, MONSTER) and Jessica Lange (BIG FISH, ROB ROY) star in this emotionally charged true story about a journey into excess! When talented young writer Elizabeth Wurtzel (Ricci) earns a scholarship to Harvard, she sees it as her chance to escape the pressures of her working-class background and concentrate on her true talent. But what starts out so promising leads to self-destructive behavior and paralyzing depression that reflects an entire generation's struggle to navigate the effects of divorce, drugs, sex, and high expectations. Based on the best-selling autobiographical novel, PROZAC NATION also stars Michelle Williams (THE STATION AGENT), Anne Heche (JOHN Q), Jason Biggs (JERSEY GIRL), and Jonathan Rhys-Meyers (BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM). |
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Let Them Eat Prozac: The Unhealthy Relationship Between the Pharmaceutical Industry and Depression (Medicine, Culture, and History) by David Healy (Author) "A compelling story about mystery, deception, death, disappointment, vindication, and uncertainty." "Healy confirms his status as one longtime thorn in the side of big drug companies, recounting how he was initially enthusiastic about SSRIs but eventually grew concerned about their side effects." "Physicians should be aware of Let Them Eat Prozac." "Let Them Eat Prozac is a double-pronged exploration, first of the SSRI drugs used to treat depression, and second of the drug industry." "Ultimately, the book is about science, society and the power and misuse of commercial promotion. . . . His investigation is impressive." "This... |
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