Polymorphic drug metabolism in schizophrenic patients with tardive dyskinesia

Genetic Factors Associated With Tardive Dyskinesia: From Pre-clinical Models to Clinical Studies

Tardive dyskinesia is a severe motor adverse event of antipsychotic medication, characterized by involuntary athetoid movements of the trunk, limbs, and/or orofacial areas. It affects two to ten patients under long-term administration of antipsychotics that do not subside for years even after the drug is stopped. Dopamine, serotonin, cannabinoid receptors, oxidative stress, plasticity factors, signaling cascades, as well as CYP isoenzymes and transporters have been associated with tardive dyskinesia (TD) occurrence in terms of genetic variability and metabolic capacity. Besides the factors related to the drug and the dose and patients’ clinical characteristics, a very crucial variable of TD development is individual susceptibility and genetic predisposition. This review summarizes the studies in experimental animal models and clinical studies focusing on the impact of genetic variations on TD occurrence. We identified eight genes emerging from preclinical findings that also reached statistical significance in at least one clinical study. The results of clinical studies are often conflicting and non-conclusive enough to support implementation in clinical practice.

Genetic Testing for Antipsychotic Pharmacotherapy: Bench to Bedside

There is growing research interest in learning the genetic basis of response and adverse effects with psychotropic medications, including antipsychotic drugs. However, the clinical utility of information from genetic studies is compromised by their controversial results, primarily due to relatively small effect and sample sizes. Clinical, demographic, and environmental differences in patient cohorts further explain the lack of consistent results from these genetic studies. Furthermore, the availability of psychopharmacological expertise in interpreting clinically meaningful results from genetic assays has been a challenge, one that often results in suboptimal use of genetic testing in clinical practice. These limitations explain the difficulties in the translation of psychopharmacological research in pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics from bench to bedside to manage increasingly treatment-refractory psychiatric disorders, especially schizophrenia. Although these shortcomings question the utility of genetic testing in the general population, the commercially available genetic assays are being increasingly utilized to optimize the effectiveness of psychotropic medications in the treatment-refractory patient population, including schizophrenia. In this context, patients with treatment-refractory schizophrenia are among of the most vulnerable patients to be exposed to the debilitating adverse effects from often irrational and high-dose antipsychotic polypharmacy without clinically meaningful benefits. The primary objective of this comprehensive review is to analyze and interpret replicated findings from the genetic studies to identify specific genetic biomarkers that could be utilized to enhance antipsychotic efficacy and tolerability in the treatment-refractory schizophrenia population.

Genetics of tardive dyskinesia: Promising leads and ways forward

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a potentially irreversible and often debilitating movement disorder secondary to chronic use of dopamine receptor blocking medications. Genetic factors have been implicated in the etiology of TD. We therefore have reviewed the most promising genes associated with TD, including DRD2, DRD3, VMAT2, HSPG2, HTR2A, HTR2C, and SOD2. In addition, we present evidence supporting a role for these genes from preclinical models of TD. The current understanding of the etiogenesis of TD is discussed in the light of the recent approvals of valbenazine and deutetrabenazine, VMAT2 inhibitors, for treating TD.

[Pharmacogenetic-based risk assessment of antipsychotic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms]

"Typical" antipsychotics remain the wide-prescribed drugs in modern psychiatry. But these drugs are associated with development of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). Preventive methods of EPS are actively developed and they concentrate on personalized approach. The method of taking into account genetic characteristics of patient for prescribing of treatment was proven as effective in cardiology, oncology, HIV-medicine. In this review the modern state of pharmacogenetic research of antipsychotic-induced EPS are considered. There are pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors which impact on adverse effects. Pharmacokinetic factors are the most well-studied to date, these include genetic polymorphisms of genes of cytochrome P450. However, evidence base while does not allow to do the significant prognosis of development of EPS based on genetic testing of CYP2D6 and CYP7A2 polymorphisms. Genes of pharmacodynamics factors, which realize the EPS during antipsychotic treatment, are the wide field for research. In separate part of review research of such systems as dopaminergic, serotonergic, adrenergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, BDNF were analyzed. The role of oxidative stress factors in the pathogenesis of antipsychotic-induced EPS was enough detailed considered. The system of those factors may be used for personalized risk assessment of antipsychotics' safety in the future. Although there were numerous studies, the pharmacogenetic-based prevention of EPS before prescribing of antipsychotics was not introduced. However, it is possible to distinguish the most perspectives markers for further research. Furthermore, brief review of new candidate genes provides here, but only preliminary results were published. The main problem of the field is the lack of high- quality studies. Moreover, the several results were not replicated in repeat studies. The pharmacogenetic-based research must be standardized by ethnicity of patients. But there is the ethnical misbalance in world literature. These facts explain why the introduction of pharmacogenetic testing for risk assessment of antipsychotic-induced EPS is so difficult to achieve.

CYP450 pharmacogenetic treatment strategies for antipsychotics: a review of the evidence

Although a number of first- and second-generation antipsychotics are available, achieving optimal therapeutic response for patients with schizophrenia can be challenging. The presence of polymorphic alleles for cytochrome P (CYP) 450 may result in lack of expression, altered levels of expression, or altered function of CYP450 enzymes. CYP2D6, CYP1A2, and CYP3A4/5 are major enzymes in the metabolism of antipsychotics and polymorphisms of alleles for these proteins are associated with altered plasma levels. Consequently, standard dosing may result in drug plasma concentrations that are subtherapeutic or toxic in some patients. Patient CYP450 genotype testing can predict altered pharmacokinetics, and is currently available and relatively inexpensive. Evidence-based guidelines provide dose recommendations for some antipsychotics. To date few studies have demonstrated a significant association with genotype-guided antipsychotic use and clinical efficacy. However, many studies have been small, retrospective or cohort designs, and many have not been adequately powered. Numerous studies have shown a significant association between genotype and adverse effects, such as CYP2D6 polymorphisms and tardive dyskinesia. This review summarizes evidence for the role of CYP450 genetic variants in the response to antipsychotic medications and the clinical implications of pharmacogenetics in the management of patients with schizophrenia.

Genetic variability of drug-metabolizing enzymes: the dual impact on psychiatric therapy and regulation of brain function

Polymorphic drug-metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) are responsible for the metabolism of the majority of psychotropic drugs. By explaining a large portion of variability in individual drug metabolism, pharmacogenetics offers a diagnostic tool in the burgeoning era of personalized medicine. This review updates existing evidence on the influence of pharmacogenetic variants on drug exposure and discusses the rationale for genetic testing in the clinical context. Dose adjustments based on pharmacogenetic knowledge are the first step to translate pharmacogenetics into clinical practice. However, also clinical factors, such as the consequences on toxicity and therapeutic failure, must be considered to provide clinical recommendations and assess the cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenetic treatment strategies. DME polymorphisms are relevant not only for clinical pharmacology and practice but also for research in psychiatry and neuroscience. Several DMEs, above all the cytochrome P (CYP) enzymes, are expressed in the brain, where they may contribute to the local biochemical homeostasis. Of particular interest is the possibility of DMEs playing a physiological role through their action on endogenous substrates, which may underlie the reported associations between genetic polymorphisms and cognitive function, personality and vulnerability to mental disorders. Neuroimaging studies have recently presented evidence of an effect of the CYP2D6 polymorphism on basic brain function. This review summarizes evidence on the effect of DME polymorphisms on brain function that adds to the well-known effects of DME polymorphisms on pharmacokinetics in explaining the range of phenotypes that are relevant to psychiatric practice.

Treatment of neurolept-induced tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia (TDK) includes orobuccolingual movements and "piano-playing" movements of the limbs. It is a movement disorder of delayed onset that can occur in the setting of neuroleptic treatment as well as in other diseases and following treatment with other drugs. The specific pathophysiology resulting in TDK is still not completely understood but possible mechanisms include postsynaptic dopamine receptor hypersensitivity, abnormalities of striatal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons, and degeneration of striatal cholinergic interneurons. More recently, the theory of synaptic plasticity has been proposed. Considering these proposed mechanisms of disease, therapeutic interventions have attempted to manipulate dopamine, GABA, acetylcholine, norepinephrine and serotonin pathways and receptors. The data for the effectiveness of each class of drugs and the side effects were considered in turn.

Clinically significant psychotropic drug-drug interactions in the primary care setting

In recent years, the growing numbers of patients seeking care for a wide range of psychiatric illnesses in the primary care setting has resulted in an increase in the number of psychotropic medications prescribed. Along with the increased utilization of psychotropic medications, considerable variability is noted in the prescribing patterns of primary care providers and psychiatrists. Because psychiatric patients also suffer from a number of additional medical comorbidities, the increased utilization of psychotropic medications presents an elevated risk of clinically significant drug interactions in these patients. While life-threatening drug interactions are rare, clinically significant drug interactions impacting drug response or appearance of serious adverse drug reactions have been documented and can impact long-term outcomes. Additionally, the impact of genetic variability on the psychotropic drug's pharmacodynamics and/or pharmacokinetics may further complicate drug therapy. Increased awareness of clinically relevant psychotropic drug interactions can aid clinicians to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes in patients in the primary care setting.

Genetics of tardive dyskinesia

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is one of the most serious adverse side effects of antipsychotic drugs and is an important topic of pharmacogenetic studies. Since there is a genetic susceptibility for developing this adverse reaction, and given that it is hard to predict its development prior to or during the early period of medication, the genetic study of TD is a promising research topic that has a direct clinical application. Moreover, such studies would improve our understanding of the genetic mechanism(s) underlying abnormal dyskinetic movement. A substantial number of case-control association studies of TD have been performed, with numbers of studies focusing on the genes involved in antipsychotic drug metabolism, such as those for cytochrome P450 (CYP) and oxidative stress related genes as well as various neurotransmitter related genes. These studies have produced relatively consistent though controversial findings for certain polymorphisms such as CYP2D6*10, DRD2 Taq1A, DRD3 Ser9Gly, HTR2A T102C, and MnSOD Ala9Val. Moreover, the application of the genome-wide association study (GWAS) to the susceptibility of TD has revealed certain associated genes that previously were never considered to be associated with TD, such as the rs7669317 on 4q24, GLI2 gene, GABA pathway genes, and HSPG2 gene. Although a substantial number of genetic studies have investigated TD, many of the positive findings have not been replicated or are inconsistent, which could be due to differences in study design, sample size, and/or subject ethnicity. We expect that more refined research will be performed in the future to resolve these issues, which will then enable the genetic prediction of TD and clinical application thereof.

Cytochrome P450 testing for prescribing antipsychotics in adults with schizophrenia: systematic review and meta-analyses

There is wide variability in the response of individuals to standard doses of antipsychotic drugs. It has been suggested that this may be partly explained by differences in the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme system responsible for metabolizing the drugs. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to consider whether testing for CYP450 single nucleotide polymorphisms in adults starting antipsychotic treatment for schizophrenia predicts and leads to improvements in clinical outcomes. High analytic validity in terms of sensitivity and specificity was seen in studies reporting P450 testing. However, there was limited evidence of the role of CYP2D6 polymorphisms in antipsychotic efficacy, although there was an association between CYP2D6 genotype and extrapyramidal adverse effects. No studies reported on the prospective use of CYP2D6 genotyping tests in clinical practice. In conclusion, evidence of clinical validity and utility of CYP2D6 testing in patients being prescribed antipsychotics is lacking, and thus, routine pharmacogenetic testing prior to antipsychotic prescription cannot be supported at present. Further research is required to improve the evidence base and to generate data on clinical validity and clinical utility.

Pharmacogenetics of debrisoquine and its use as a marker for CYP2D6 hydroxylation capacity

Debrisoquine hydroxylation polymorphism is by far the most thoroughly studied genetic polymorphism of the CYP2D6 drug-metabolizing enzyme. Debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype has been the most used test in humans to evaluate CYP2D6 activity. Two debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotypes have been described: poor and extensive metabolizers. A group with a very low debrisoquine metabolic ratio within the extensive metabolizers, named ultrarapid metabolizers, has also been distinguished. This CYP2D6 variability can be for a large part alternatively determined by genotyping, which appears to be of clinical importance given CYP2D6 involvement in the metabolism of a large number of commonly prescribed drugs. CYP2D6 pharmacogenetics may then become a useful tool to predict drug-related side effects, interactions or therapeutic failures. However, a number of reasons appear to have made research into this field lag behind. The present review focuses on the relevance of genetics and environmental factors for determining debrisoquine hydroxylation phenotype, as well as the relevance of CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism in psychiatric patients treated with antipsychotic drugs.

Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics of schizophrenia: a review of last decade of research

The last decade of research into the pharmacogenetics of antipsychotics has seen the development of genetic tests to determine the patients' metabolic status and the first attempts at personalization of antipsychotic treatment. The most significant results are the association between drug metabolic polymorphisms, mainly in cytochrome P450 genes, with variations in drug metabolic rates and side effects. Patients with genetically determined CYP2D6 poor metabolizer (PMs) status may require lower doses of antipsychotic. Alternatively, CYP2D6 ultrarapid matabolizers (UMs) will need increased drug dosage to obtain therapeutic response. Additionally, polymorphisms in dopamine and serotonin receptor genes are repeatedly found associated with response phenotypes, probably reflecting the strong affinities that most antipsychotics display for these receptors. In particular, there is important evidence suggesting association between dopamine 2 receptor (D2) polymorphisms (Taq I and -141-C Ins/Del) and a dopamine 3 receptor (D3) polymorphism (Ser9Gly) with antipsychotic response and drug-induced tardive dyskinesia. Additionally, there is accumulating evidence indicating the influence of a 5-HT2C polymorphism (-759-T/C) in antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Application of this knowledge to clinical practice is slowly gathering pace, with pretreatment determination of individual's drug metabolic rates, via CYP genotyping, leading the field. Genetic determination of patients' metabolic status is expected to bring clinical benefits by helping to adjust therapeutic doses and reduce adverse reactions. Genetic tests for the pretreatment prediction of antipsychotic response, although still in its infancy, have obvious implications for the selection and improvement of antipsychotic treatment. These developments can be considered as successes, but the objectives of bringing pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomic research in psychiatric clinical practice are far from being realized. Further development of genetic tests is required before the concept of tailored treatment can be applied to psychopharmatherapy. This review aims to summarize the key findings from the last decade of research in the field. Current knowledge on genetic prediction of drug metabolic status, general response and drug-induced side effects will be reviewed and future pharmacogenomic and epigenetic research will be discussed.

Depot Haloperidol Treatment in Outpatients With Schizophrenia on Monotherapy: Impact of CYP2D6 Polymorphism on Pharmacokinetics and Treatment Outcome

Haloperidol and several other antipsychotic drugs are at least partially metabolized by the polymorphic cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). The interindividual variation in metabolic capacity of CYP2D6 might be of importance when dosing. In this study, 26 outpatients with schizophrenia and depot haloperidol as monotherapy were genotyped. The authors found 1 patient with no functional alleles, 8 with one functional allele, 16 with two functional alleles, and 1 with three functional alleles. The daily dose of haloperidol ranged from 0.45 to 14.29 mg. Steady state plasma concentrations were measured at peak (range, 1.6-67 nmol/L) and at trough (range, 1.0-49 nmol/L). The Positive and Negative Syndrome scale for Schizophrenia and the Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale were used to evaluate the clinical effect. The authors found a clear correlation between haloperidol plasma concentration and number of active CYP2D6 alleles. No correlation was found between plasma concentration of haloperidol or number of CYP2D6 alleles and treatment outcome or side effects. A model to predict plasma concentration from dose and number of active CYP2D6 alleles was formed from the obtained data by means of multiple linear regression.

The influence of the CYP2D6 polymorphism on psychopathological and extrapyramidal symptoms in the patients on long-term antipsychotic treatment

Poor response to antipsychotics treatment and extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are the most challenging problems in the treatment of schizophrenia. Several studies were investigating the impact of polymorphic cytochrome P450 2D6 gene (CYP2D6) on EPS but the results were conflicting. There are practically no clinical studies of long-term treatment of schizophrenia and CYP2D6 polymorphism. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of CYP2D6 genotype on psychopathological symptoms and the occurrence of EPS in Slovenian outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in stable remission, receiving long-term maintenance antipsychotic treatment. In total 131 outpatients meeting the DSM IV criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and receiving maintenance therapy with haloperidol, fluphenazine, zuclopethixole or risperidone were genotyped for 14 polymorphic CYP2D6 alleles. Psychopathological symptoms were assessed with the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS). EPS were assessed with the Simpson Angus Scale (SAS), the Barnes Akathisia Scale and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS). Six patients (4.6%) were genotyped as poor metabolizers (PMs). PMs scored significantly higher on the negative subscale for PANSS. There were no statistically significant differences between the group of PMs and the group of patients with at least one functional CYP2D6 allele in view of patient's characteristics or any of the items of the AIMS, the SAS or the Barnes Akathisia Scale. CYP2D6 genotype may not be the major factor that determines the susceptibility to antipsychotic-induced EPS in Slovenian patients in stable remission and on maintenance therapy with antipsychotics that are mainly CYP2D6 substrates. However, CYP2D6 genotype might be a factor contributing to the persistent negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

The AmpliChip CYP450 genotyping test: Integrating a new clinical tool

The AmpliChip CYP450 Test, which analyzes patient genotypes for cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes CYP2D6 and CYP2C19, is a major step toward introducing personalized prescribing into the clinical environment. Interest in adverse drug reactions (ADRs), the genetic revolution, and pharmacogenetics have converged with the introduction of this tool, which is anticipated to be the first of a new wave of such tools to follow over the next 5-10 years. The AmpliChip CYP450 Test is based on microarray technology, which combines hybridization in precise locations on a glass microarray and a fluorescent labeling system. It classifies individuals into two CYP2C19 phenotypes (extensive metabolizers [EMs] and poor metabolizers [PMs]) by testing three alleles, and into four CYP2D6 phenotypes (ultrarapid metabolizers [UMs], EMs, intermediate metabolizers [IMs], and PMs) by testing 27 alleles, including seven duplications. CYP2D6 is a metabolic enzyme with four activity levels (or phenotypes): UMs with unusually high activity; normal subjects, known as EMs; IMs with low activity; and PMs with no CYP2D6 activity (7% of Caucasians and 1-3% in other ethnic groups). Levels of evidence for the association between CYP2D6 PMs and ADRs are relatively reasonable and include systematic reviews of case-control studies of some typical antipsychotics and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). Evidence for other phenotypes is considerably more limited. The CYP2D6 PM phenotype may be associated with risperidone ADRs and discontinuation due to ADRs. Venlafaxine, aripiprazole, duloxetine, and atomoxetine are newer drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 but studies of the clinical relevance of CYP2D6 genotypes are needed. Non-psychiatric drugs metabolized by CYP2D6 include metoprolol, tamoxifen, and codeine-like drugs. CYP2C19 PMs (3-4% of Caucasians and African Americans, and 14-21% of Asians) may require dose adjustment for some TCAs, moclobemide, and citalopram. Other drugs metabolized by CYP2C19 are diazepam and omeprazole. The future of pharmacogenetics depends on the ability to overcome serious obstacles, including the difficulties of conducting and publishing studies in light of resistance from grant agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and some scientific reviewers. Assuming more studies are published, pharmacogenetic clinical applications may be compromised by economic factors and the lack of physician education. The combination of a US FDA-approved test, such as the AmpliChip CYP450 Test, and an FDA definition of CYP2D6 as a 'valid biomarker' makes CYP2D6 genotyping a prime candidate to be the first successful pharmacogenetic test in the clinical environment. One can use microarray technology to test for hundreds of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) but, taking into account the difficulties for single gene approaches such as CYP2D6, it is unlikely that very complex pharmacogenetic approaches will reach the clinical market in the next 5-10 years.

Pharmacogenetics for off-patent antipsychotics: reframing the risk for tardive dyskinesia and access to essential medicines

First-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) induce tardive dyskinesia, a debilitating involuntary hyperkinetic movement disorder, in 20-50% of individuals with a psychotic illness during chronic treatment. There is presently no curative treatment or definitive predictive test for tardive dyskinesia. The authors note that the three antipsychotic drugs enlisted in the most recent (14th) World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines--chlorpromazine, fluphenazine and haloperidol--belong to the FGA therapeutic class. In this regard, the need to choose between the competing objectives of ensuring global access to affordable and efficacious medicines, such as FGAs, and the formidable long-term risk for tardive dyskinesia, may create an ethical conundrum. Pharmacogenetics has thus far been conceptually framed as a tool to individualize therapy with new drugs under patent protection. However, the authors suggest that pharmacogenetics may also improve access to pharmacotherapy through the reintroduction of affordable second-line generic drugs or FGAs with suboptimal safety, as first-line therapy, in targeted subpopulations in whom they present a lower risk for tardive dyskinesia. To impact positively on global public health and distributive justice, a directory complementary to the essential medicines library--one that enlists the 'essential biomarkers' required for optimal pharmacotherapy--may benefit patients who do not have adequate access to new antipsychotic medications. This review discusses pharmacogenetic associations of tardive dyskinesia that are in part supported by meta-analyses and the oxidative stress-neuronal degeneration hypothesis.

Data-Mining Methods as Useful Tools for Predicting Individual Drug Response: Application to CYP2D6 Data

OBJECTIVES

Selecting a maximally informative subset of polymorphisms to predict a clinical outcome, such as drug response, requires appropriate search methods due to the increased dimensionality associated with looking at multiple genotypes. In this study, we investigated the ability of several pattern recognition methods to identify the most informative markers in the CYP2D6 gene for the prediction of CYP2D6 metabolizer status.

METHODS

Four data-mining tools were explored: decision trees, random forests, artificial neural networks, and the multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) method. Marker selection was performed separately in eight population samples of different ethnic origin to evaluate to what extent the most informative markers differ across ethnic groups.

RESULTS

Our results show that the number of polymorphisms required to predict CYP2D6 metabolic phenotype with a high accuracy can be dramatically reduced owing to the strong haplotype block structure observed at CYP2D6. MDR and neural networks provided nearly identical results and performed the best.

CONCLUSION

Data-mining methods, such as MDR and neural networks, appear as promising tools to improve the efficiency of genotyping tests in pharmacogenetics with the ultimate goal of pre-screening patients for individual therapy selection with minimum genotyping effort.

Genetic susceptibility to tardive dyskinesia in chronic schizophrenia subjects: III. Lack of association of CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 gene polymorphisms

Tardive dyskinesia is a severe debilitating movement disorder characterized by choreoathetotic movements developing in one-fifth of the patients with schizophrenia. In this study we have investigated the significance of CYP3A4*1B and CYP2D6*4 polymorphisms in TD susceptibility among chronic schizophrenia patients (n = 335) from north India. Tardive dyskinesia was diagnosed in approximately 29% (96/335) of these patients. No significant association of either of the two SNPs with TD (CYP3A4*1B chi2 = 0. 308, df = 1, p = 0.579; CYP2D6*4 chi2 = 0.006, df = 1, p = 0.935) was observed. However a trend towards increased severity of TD in patients heterozygous for the CYP2D6*4 mutation was observed.

CYP2D6 polymorphisms and the risk of tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia: a meta-analysis

The present study aimed to evaluate whether there is any association between CYP2D6 alleles and susceptibility to tardive dyskinesia in patients with schizophrenia under treatment. A meta-analysis considered case-control studies determining the distribution of genotypes for any CYP2D6 polymorphism in unrelated tardive dyskinesia cases and controls without tardive dyskinesia among patients with schizophrenia who were treated with antipsychotic agents. Loss of function alleles were grouped together in a single comparison, whereas other alleles (2 and 10) were examined separately. Data were available for eight (n=569 patients), three (n=325 patients) and four (n=556) studies evaluating the effect of the loss of function alleles, the 2 allele and the 10 allele, respectively. Summary odds ratios (ORs) suggested that loss of function alleles increased the risk of tardive dyskinesia significantly [OR=1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06-1.93, P=0.021], whereas there was no effect for 2 and inconclusive evidence for 10 (OR=0.82, 95% CI 0.50-1.32, P=0.41 and OR=1.19, 95% CI, 0.89-1.60, P=0.24, respectively). Patients who were homozygotes for loss of function alleles (poor metabolizers) had 1.64-fold greater odds of suffering tardive dyskinesia compared to other patients with schizophrenia, but the effect was not formally significant (95% CI 0.79-3.43). For the risk conferred by loss of function alleles, large studies provided more conservative estimates of a genetic effect than smaller studies (P=0.003). CYP2D6 loss of function alleles may predispose to tardive dyskinesia in patients with schizophrenia under treatment, but bias cannot be excluded.

Genetic susceptibility to Tardive Dyskinesia in chronic schizophrenia subjects: I. Association of CYP1A2 gene polymorphism

Understanding the pharmacogenetic basis of developing iatrogenic disorders such as Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) has significant clinical implications. CYP1A2, an inducible gene of the cytochrome P450 family of genes, has been suggested to contribute to the metabolism of typical antipsychotics in subjects with schizophrenia on long-term treatment, and has been considered as a potential candidate gene for development of TD. In this study, we have investigated the significance of CYP1A2 gene polymorphisms in TD susceptibility among chronic schizophrenia sufferers (n=335) from north India. TD was diagnosed in approximately 29% (96/335) of these subjects. Of the 96 TD positives, 28 had been treated with typical antipsychotics alone, 23 with atypical antipsychotics alone and 45 patients had received both classes of drugs during the course of their illness. Out of the six SNPs tested, CYP1A2(*)2, (*)4, (*)5, (*)6 were found to be monomorphic in our population. CYP1A2(*)1C and CYP1A2(*)1F were polymorphic and were analyzed in the study sample. Since these two allelic variants lead to lesser inducibility among smokers, the smoking status of TD patients was also considered for all subsequent analysis. We observed increased severity of TD among TD-Y smokers, who were carriers of CYP1A2(*)1C (G>A) variant allele and had received only typical antipsychotic drugs (F(1,8)=9.203, P=0.016). No significant association of CYP1A2(*)1F with TD was observed irrespective of the class of drug they received or their smoking status. However, we found a significant association of CYP1A2(*)1F with schizophrenia (chi(2)=6.572, df=2, P=0.037).

Cytochrome P-450 2D6*10 C188T polymorphism is associated with antipsychotic-induced persistent tardive dyskinesia in Chinese schizophrenic patients

Typical antipsychotic treatment had been postulated to be a risk factor for the susceptibility to tardive dyskinesia (TD). The cytochrome P-450 debrisoquine/sparteine hydroxylase (CYP2D6) metabolizes a majority of antipsychotics and exhibits various phenotypes on enzymatic activities from poor metabolizers to ultrarapid metabolizers. The various phenotypes are encoded by polymorphic genetic variants on the CYP2D6 gene. Although several studies had explored the association between the CYP2D6*10 C188T polymorphism, which encodes the phenotype intermediate metabolizers, and TD in Orientals, the findings were inconclusive. In the present study, we examined the relationship between the CYP2D6*10 C188T polymorphism and the TD occurrence in 216 Chinese schizophrenic patients (113 patients with TD and 103 patients without TD) and explored the correlation between the TD severity assessed by the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) and each C188T genotype in the 113 TD patients. Using logistic regression analysis, we found a modest association (p = 0.045) between TD and C188T genotypes. This positive finding was only observed in male patients (p = 0.001), but not in females. Our findings also support the correlation between AIMS scores and C188T polymorphism within the TD group after adjusting for confounding effects with the multiple regression analysis (p = 0.033). We concluded that the CYP2D6*10 C188T polymorphism may be associated with the susceptibility to the occurrence of TD induced by typical antipsychotics, especially in male patients, and may also be correlated with AIMS scores in TD patients.

The Unique Regulation of Brain Cytochrome P450 2 (CYP2) Family Enzymes by Drugs and Genetics

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the brain may have a role in the activation or inactivation of centrally acting drugs, in the metabolism of endogenous compounds, and in the generation of damaging toxic metabolites and/or oxygen stress. CYPs are distributed unevenly among brain regions, and are found in neurons, glial cells and at the blood-brain interface. They have been observed in mitochondrial membranes, in neuronal processes and in the plasma membrane, as well as in endoplastic reticulum. Brain CYPs are inducible by many common hepatic inducers, however many compounds affect liver and brain CYP expression differently, and some CYPs which are constitutively expressed in liver are inducible in brain. CYP induction is isozyme-, brain region-, cell type- and inducer-specific. While it is unlikely that brain CYPs contribute to overall clearance of xenobiotics, their punctate, region- and cell-specific expression suggests that CNS CYPs may create micro-environments in the brain with differing drug and metabolite levels (not detected or predicted by plasma drug monitoring). Coupled with the sensitivity of CNS CYPs to induction, this may in part account for inter-individual variation in response to centrally acting drugs and neurotoxins, and may have implications for individual variation in receptor adaptation and cross-tolerance to different drugs. In addition, genetic variation in brain CYPs, depending on the type of polymorphism (structural versus regulatory), will alter enzyme activity. These aspects of brain CYP expression regulation and genetic influences are illustrated in this review using mRNA, protein, and enzyme activity data for CYP2D1/6, CYP2E1 and CYP2B1/6 in rat and human brain. The role of CYP-mediated metabolism in the brain, a highly heterogeneous and complex organ, is a new and relatively unexplored field of scientific enquiry. It holds promise for furthering our undestanding of inter-individual variability in response to centrally acting drugs as well as risk for neurological diseases and pathogies.

Pharmacogenetics of antidepressants and antipsychotics: the contribution of allelic variations to the phenotype of drug response

Genetic factors contribute to the phenotype of drug response. We systematically analyzed all available pharmacogenetic data from Medline databases (1970-2003) on the impact that genetic polymorphisms have on positive and adverse reactions to antidepressants and antipsychotics. Additionally, dose adjustments that would compensate for genetically caused differences in blood concentrations were calculated. To study pharmacokinetic effects, data for 36 antidepressants were screened. We found that for 20 of those, data on polymorphic CYP2D6 or CYP2C19 were found and that in 14 drugs such genetic variation would require at least doubling of the dose in extensive metabolizers in comparison to poor metabolizers. Data for 38 antipsychotics were examined: for 13 of those CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genotype was of relevance. To study the effects of genetic variability on pharmacodynamic pathways, we reviewed 80 clinical studies on polymorphisms in candidate genes, but those did not for the most part reveal significant associations between neurotransmitter receptor and transporter genotypes and therapy response or adverse drug reactions. In addition associations found in one study could not be replicated in other studies. For this reason, it is not yet possible to translate pharmacogenetic parameters fully into therapeutic recommendations. At present, antidepressant and antipsychotic drug responses can best be explained as the combinatorial outcome of complex systems that interact at multiple levels. In spite of these limitations, combinations of polymorphisms in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic pathways of relevance might contribute to identify genotypes associated with best and worst responders and they may also identify susceptibility to adverse drug reactions.

Cytochrome P450 II D6 gene polymorphisms and the neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms in Japanese schizophrenic patients

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine whether the neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal symptoms are associated with the CYP2D6 activity.

METHODS

The CYP2D6 gene polymorphisms (CYP2D6*2, CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*10, and CYP2D6*12) were genotyped in 196 normal controls and 320 schizophrenic patients receiving neuroleptics. The relationships with susceptibility to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and tardive dyskinesia, and with steady-state serum haloperidol levels in maintenance therapy, were investigated.

RESULTS

The allele frequency of CYP2D6*2 was significantly higher, while that of CYP2D6*10 tended to be higher in the schizophrenic patients susceptible to acute EPS. The steady-state serum haloperidol levels per daily dosage were observed to be significantly higher in schizophrenic patients with the mutant-type homozygote of CYP2D6*2, while this difference was trend level in those of CYP2D6*10. However, no significant difference was observed in the distribution of both CYP2D6*2 (C2938T) and CYP2D6*10 (C188T) polymorphisms between schizophrenic patients with or without tardive dyskinesia.

CONCLUSION

The present results suggest that the homozygotes of CYP2D6*2 and CYP2D6*10 appear to be a susceptibility factor for developing acute EPS in schizophrenic patients and for impaired neuroleptic metabolism in Japanese schizophrenic patients.

Association between CYP2D6 genotype and tardive dyskinesia in Korean schizophrenics

The CYP2D6 gene codes for human cytochrome P450 2D6 enzyme, which is responsible for the metabolism of many psychiatric drugs. In schizophrenic patients treated with neuroleptics, decreased or loss of function CYP2D6 alleles may contribute to the development of tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder that frequently occurs with chronic neuroleptic treatment. The goal of this study was to determine whether the occurrence of TD is associated with CYP2D6 genotype in a cohort of Korean schizophrenics by employing a CYP450 GeneChip((R)) oligonucleotide microarray and PCR assays to screen for 19 CYP2D6 alleles. Our results revealed that males with at least one decreased or loss of function allele have a moderately greater chance of developing TD than males with only wild-type alleles. Female schizophrenics did not have a significantly greater chance of developing TD. Our results demonstrate the utility of CYP2D6 microarrays to assess genotype status in this Korean cohort.

A perspective on molecular genetic studies of tardive dyskinesia: one clue for individualized antipsychotic drug therapy

Interindividual genetic profile differences related to antipsychotic drug therapy may be determined based on molecular genetic studies of the pathogenesis of schizophrenia and studies of antipsychotic drug responses (therapeutic as well as adverse responses). In the present article, we review molecular genetic studies of tardive dyskinesia (TD), which is a representative adverse response to antipsychotic drugs. Such studies have been performed to explore the gene-associated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes of antipsychotic drugs. Positive associations between several genes and TD have been reported. The accumulation of results from such studies will hopefully lead to individualized antipsychotic drug therapies that involve the application of new genomic techniques, including DNA microarrays. Subsequently, antipsychotic drugs may in the future be prescribed for smaller subgroups of patients who have been classified as having a particular genetic profile.

Polymorphic drug metabolism (CYP2D6) and utilisation of psychotropic drugs in hospitalised psychiatric patients: a retrospective study

AIM

The aim of the current retrospective study was to assess the influence of polymorphic drug metabolism as assessed by genotyping, on the on the utilisation of psychotropic drugs in hospitalised psychiatric patients. The utilisation of psychotropic drugs was assessed using pharmacy records with emphasis on the number of prescriptions and prescriptions for possible side effects.

METHODS

CYP2D6 genotype was assessed in 241 psychiatric patients by investigation for the five most common allelic variants ( CYP2D6*3, *4, *6, *7, *8) and the presence of gene duplication using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. Data concerning the pharmacotherapy of the patients were retrieved from the pharmacy information system. Data was analysed on differences observed in pharmacy records concerning the different metabolic classes: ultra rapid metabolisers (UMs), extensive metabolisers (EMs) and poor metabolisers (PMs).

RESULTS

For CYP2D6, 2.5% was UM (95% CI: 0.5-4.5%, n=6) and 8.3% was PM (95% CI: 4.8-11.8%, n=20). Drugs metabolised by CYP2D6 were less frequently prescribed in PMs than EMs (21.1% vs 33.6%, P=0.023). The average duration of prescriptions was significantly lower in PMs than EMs (54 days vs 106 days, P=0.010). Between UMs and EMs, no significant differences were found, although a similar tendency was observed. With regard to dose, no consistent differences were observed between the CYP2D6 genotype classes. Drugs against Parkinsonian-like side effects were given twice as frequently in PMs as EMs (6.9% vs 3.4%, P=0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with impaired CYP2D6 metabolism received fewer CYP2D6 drugs. PMs were more prone to Parkinsonian-like side effects as evidenced by more prescriptions for drugs combating these side effects. Dose titrations were not often used to compensate for genetic polymorphisms. Pharmacy records might be a useful tool to detect differences related to polymorphic metabolism.

Pharmacogenetics of schizophrenia

Patients display significant differences in response to therapeutic agents which may be caused by a variety of factors. Among them, genetic components presumably play a major role. Pharmacogenetics is the field of research that attempts to unravel the relationship between genetic variation affecting drug metabolism (pharmacokinetic level) or drug targets (pharmacodynamic level) and interindividual differences in pharmacoresponse. In schizophrenia, pharmacokinetic studies have shown the role of genetic variants of the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 in the metabolism of neuroleptic drugs. At the level of the drug target, variants of the dopamine D3 and D4, and 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors have been examined. A general problem of pharmacogenetic studies in schizophrenia is the high number of controversial findings which may be related to the lack of standardized phenotype definition. Recently, guidelines for an exact and comparable phenotype characterization have been proposed and will aid in designing and evaluating pharmacogenetic studies in the future. The final goal of pharmacogenetic studies-making a prediction of drug response at the level of the individual patient-will require a simultaneous look at a large number of response-determining genetic variants by applying the tools of pharmacogenomics, e.g. large-scale Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) detection and genotyping.

Serotonin syndrome and other serotonergic disorders

Serotonin syndrome is an iatrogenic disorder induced by pharmacologic treatment with serotonergic agents that increases serotonin activity. In addition, there is a wide variety of clinical disorders associated with serotonin excess. The frequent concurrent use of serotonergic and neuroleptic drugs and similarities between serotonin syndrome and neuroleptic malignant syndrome can present the clinician with a diagnostic challenge. In this article, we review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of serotonin syndrome as well as other serotonergic disorders.

Cytochrome p450 phenotyping/genotyping in patients receiving antipsychotics: useful aid to prescribing?

Many antipsychotics, including perphenazine, zuclopenthixol, thioridazine, haloperidol and risperidone, are metabolised to a significant extent by the polymorphic cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6, which shows large interindividual variation in activity. Significant relationships between CYP2D6 genotype and steady-state concentrations have been reported for perphenazine, zuclopenthixol, risperidone and haloperidol when used in monotherapy. Other CYPs, especially CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, also contribute to the interindividual variability in the kinetics of antipsychotics and the occurrence of drug interactions. For many antipsychotics, the role of the different CYPs at therapeutic drug concentrations remains to be clarified. Some studies have suggested that poor metabolisers for CYP2D6 would be more prone to oversedation and possibly parkinsonism during treatment with classical antipsychotics, whereas other, mostly retrospective, studies have been negative or inconclusive. For the newer antipsychotics, such data are lacking. Whether phenotyping or genotyping for CYP2D6 or other CYPs can be used to predict an optimal dose range has not been studied so far. Genotyping or phenotyping can today be recommended as a complement to plasma concentration determination when aberrant metabolic capacity (poor or ultrarapid) of CYP2D6 substrates is suspected. The current rapid developments in molecular genetic methodology and pharmacogenetic knowledge can in the near future be expected to provide new tools for prediction of the activity of the various drug-metabolising enzymes. Further prospective clinical studies in well-defined patient populations and with adequate evaluation of therapeutic and adverse effects are required to establish the potential of pharmacogenetic testing in clinical psychiatry.

Cytochrome P450 polymorphisms and response to antipsychotic therapy

Antipsychotic drugs are used for the treatment of schizophrenia and other related psychotic disorders. The antipsychotics currently available include older or classical compounds and newer or atypical agents. Most antipsychotic drugs are highly lipophilic compounds and undergo extensive metabolism by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in order to be excreted. There is a wide interindividual variability in the biotransformation of antipsychotic drugs, resulting in pronounced differences in steady-state plasma concentrations and, possibly, in therapeutic and toxic effects, during treatment with fixed doses. Many classical and some newer antipsychotics are metabolized to a significant extent by the polymorphic CYP2D6, which shows large interindividual variation in activity. Other CYPs, especially CYP1A2 and CYP3A4, also contribute to the interindividual variability in the kinetics of antipsychotics and occurrence of drug interactions. No relationship between CYP2D6 genotype or activity and therapeutic effects of classical antipsychotic drugs has been found in the few studies performed. On the other hand, some investigations suggest that poor metabolizers (PMs) of CYP2D6 would be more prone to over-sedation and, possibly, Parkinsonism during treatment with classical antipsychotics, while other studies, mostly retrospective, have been negative or inconclusive. For the newer antipsychotics, such data are lacking. To date, CYP2D6 phenotyping and genotyping appear, therefore, to be clinically useful for dose predicting only in special cases and for a limited number of antipsychotics, while their usefulness in predicting clinical effects must be further explored.

Molecular genetics of CYP2D6: clinical relevance with focus on psychotropic drugs

Cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 is the most extensively characterized polymorphic drug-metabolizing enzyme. A deficiency of the CYP2D6 enzyme is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait; these subjects (7% of Caucasians, about 1% of Orientals) are classified as poor metabolizers. Among the rest (extensive metabolizers), enzyme activity is highly variable, from extremely high in ultrarapid metabolizers, to markedly reduced in intermediate metabolizers. The CYP2D6 gene is highly polymorphic, with more than 70 allelic variants described so far. Of these, more than 15 encode an inactive or no enzyme at all. Others encode enzyme with reduced, "normal" or increased enzyme activity. The CYP2D6 gene shows marked interethnic variability, with interpopulation differences in allele frequency and existence of "population-specific" allelic variants, for instance among Orientals and Black Africans. The CYP2D6 enzyme catalyses the metabolism of a large number of clinically important drugs including antidepressants, neuroleptics, some antiarrhythmics, lipophilic beta-adrenoceptor blockers and opioids. The present-day knowledge on the influence of the genetic variability in CYP2D6 on the clinical pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effects/adverse effects of psychotropic drugs is reviewed.

Lack of association between a functional polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene and tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a common side effect of long-term medication with typical neuroleptics. TD presents itself by abnormal involuntary movements and may lead to a potentially disabling and chronic clinical course. A vast majority of patients suffering from schizophrenia are smokers. Smoking has been reported to induce the activity of the CYP1A2 enzyme, which is an established metabolic pathway within the disposition of antipsychotics. Recently, a C-->A genetic polymorphism in the first intron of the CYP1A2 gene was reported to influence CYP1A2 activity in smokers. Subsequently, a pharmacogenetic study in 85 U.S. patients with schizophrenia (44 smokers, 41 individuals with unknown smoking status) showed the C/C genotype to be associated with higher TD severity (measured by the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale, AIMS) than the A/C or A/A genotype. This finding prompted us to investigate whether this effect was also present in a larger German sample of 119 patients with schizophrenia (82 smokers, 37 individuals with unknown smoking status). However, we could not replicate the reported association. The median AIMS scores did not differ between individuals with the A/A, A/C, or C/C genotypes. In an additional analysis, we compared the genotypic and allelic distribution among individuals grouped according to the criteria established by Schooler and Kane [1982: Arch Gen Psychiatry 39:486-487] (persistent TD vs. absent TD). We did not observe a differential genotypic or allelic distribution between the two diagnostic groups. Thus, our results do not support the hypothesis that the C-->A polymorphism in the CYP1A2 gene is involved in the etiology of TD in the German population.

Pharmacogenomics and schizophrenia

Although antipsychotic drugs are effective in alleviating schizophrenic symptoms, individual differences in patient response suggest that genetic components play a major role, and pharmacogenetic studies have indicated the possibility for a more individually based pharmacotherapy. The new field of pharmacogenomics, which focuses on genetic determinants of drug response at the level of the entire human genome, is important for development and prescription of safer and more effective individually tailored drugs. DNA microarray (DNA chip) analysis enables genome-wide scanning, using the high-density single nucleotide polymorphisms map. Pharmacogenomics will aid in understanding how genetics influence disease development and drug response, and contribute to discovery of new treatments. The rate of discovery of those polymorphisms will depend on the quality of the drug response phenotype. Prospective genotyping of schizophrenic patients for the many genes at the level of the drug target, drug metabolism, and disease pathways will contribute to individualized therapy matching the patient's unique genetic make-up with an optimally effective drug.

Tardive dyskinesia is not associated with the serotonin gene polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in Chinese

Neuroleptics are the mainstay of treatment for schizophrenia, but one of the complications is the development of tardive dyskinesia (TD). The pathophysiology of TD may involve dopamine-serotonin interaction. The serotonin transporter participates in the reuptake and termination of serotonin neurotransmission, and the gene that codes for this protein is thus a candidate gene for the development of TD. There is a functional polymorphism in the transcriptional control region of the serotonin transporter gene, and we investigated the association between this polymorphism and TD in Chinese schizophrenic patients. The patients who did not differ in age and sex distribution did not show variation on the rates of TD and Abnormal Involuntary Movements Scale (AIMS) scores with genotypes. Our findings suggest that 5-HTTLPR polymorphism is not a risk factor for TD in Chinese. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 96:712-715, 2000.

CYP2D6 genotyping in patients on psychoactive drug therapy

The polymorphic isoenzyme CYP2D6 has a major role in the oxidative metabolism of many deal of psychoactive drugs. Its six mutant alleles (null alleles *3, *4, *5, *6, *7 and *8) encode for inactive enzyme molecules. A carrier of two mutant alleles is considered a poor metabolizer phenotype, while a carrier of only one damaged allele is considered an intermediate metabolizer phenotype. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of null alleles in a group of psychiatric patients suffering from depression (n=49) and schizophrenia (n=86) in comparison with healthy individuals (n=145) by the method of multiplex allele specific PCR. Only CYP2D6*3,*4 and *6 mutant alleles were found in the study subjects. No significant difference between the depression and control groups was found for allele prevalence, genotype or phenotype distribution (p>0.05). However, a significant difference was observed between schizophrenic patients and controls for allele frequency (p=0.002), genotype distribution (p=0.016), and phenotype prevalence (p=0.018). The odds ratio of 2.542 for 2D6*4 suggested a significant association between this allele and schizophrenia, significantly contributing to poor metabolizer phenotype (odds ratio=5.020). The relationship between CYP2D6 gene polymorphism and side effects in schizophrenic patients undergoing long-term psychoactive drug therapy was investigated. A significant difference was obtained for allele prevalence (p=0.002), genotype (p=0.029), and phenotype (p=0.002) distribution between patients without and with side effects. A relative risk of 2.626 and 5.333 for 2D6*4 and 2D6*6, respectively, and of 7.08 for poor metabolizer phenotype suggested a significant association between the hereditary susceptibility for a particular type of drug metabolism (defect alleles) and side effects. These preliminary results suggest that the CYP2D6 genotyping appears to be useful for predicting risks for side effects of psychoactive drugs in schizophrenic patients, but their usefulness should be further explored.

The CYP2C19 enzyme polymorphism

The genetic test is gradually replacing probe drugs as the primary tool for screening populations for the CYP2C19 polymorphism. A full appreciation for the clinical and toxicological relevance of this genetic variation is presently limited. Further research is needed in several areas. The development and use of 3-D models of the CYP2C19 enzyme to automate and increase the rate at which CYP2C19 substrates are identified could reap great benefits. Meanwhile, clinical research should begin to determine whether the CYP2C19 polymorphism affects therapeutic outcomes and toxicity of drugs in actual patient settings. Combining research efforts in molecular modeling, genetic testing, clinical and epidemiological research will be required if better appreciation of this genetic variation and its importance in the population at large is to emerge.

A functional polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) gene: association with tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a common and potentially irreversible side effect associated with long-term treatment with typical antipsychotics. Approximately, 80% or more of patients with schizophrenia are smokers. Smoking is a potent inducer of the CYP1A2 enzyme, and is known to cause a significant decrease in plasma concentrations of some antipsychotics. Therefore, person-to-person differences in the extent of CYP1A2 induction by smoking may contribute to risk for the development of TD. Recently, a (C-->A) genetic polymorphism in the first intron of the CYP1A2 gene was found to be associated with variation in CYP1A2 inducibility in healthy volunteer smokers. The aim of this study was to test the clinical importance of the (C-->A) polymorphism in CYP1A2 in relation to TD severity. A total of 85 patients with schizophrenia were assessed for TD severity using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS), and were subsequently genotyped for the (C-->A) polymorphism in CYP1A2. The mean AIMS score in patients with the (C/C) genotype (associated with reduced CYP1A2 inducibility) was 2.7- and 3.4-fold greater than in those with the (A/C) or (A/A) genotype, respectively (F[2,82] = 7.4, P = 0.0007). Further, a subanalysis in the 44 known smokers in our sample, revealed a more pronounced effect. The means AIMS score in smokers was 5.4- and 4. 7-fold greater in (C/C) homozygotes when compared to heterozygotes and (A/A) homozygotes, respectively (F[2,41] = 3.7, P = 0.008). These data suggest that the (C-->A) genetic polymorphism in the CYP1A2 gene may serve as a genetic risk factor for the development of TD in patients with schizophrenia. Further studies in independent samples are warranted to evaluate the applicability of our findings to the general patient population receiving antipsychotic medications.

Pharmacogenetic diagnostics of cytochrome P450 polymorphisms in clinical drug development and in drug treatment

The current use and future perspectives of molecular genetic characterisation of cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) for drug development and drug treatment are summarised. CYP genes are highly polymorphic and the enzymes play a key role in the elimination of the majority of drugs from the human body. Frequent variants of some enzymes, CYP2A6, 2C9, 2C19 and 2D6, should be analysed in participants of clinical trials whenever these enzymes may play a role. It is suggested that a CYP genotype certificate is handed out to the volunteers or patients to avoid replicate analyses, and to allow that this information is available for future research and also for treatment with eventually needed drugs. Guidelines on what CYP alleles have to be analysed in drug development, as well as on analytical validation and CYP genotype data handling will be required. Treatment with several drugs may be improved by prior genotyping. The concepts and problems of CYP genotype-based clinical dose recommendations are presented and illustrated for selected drugs. The requirement for prospective trials on the medical and economic benefits of routine CYP genotyping is emphasised. Specific operationally defined recommendations dependent on genotype are a prerequisite for such studies and this review presents tentative CYP genotype-based dose recommendations systematically calculated from published data. Because of the multiplicity of factors involved, these doses will not be the optimal doses for each given individual, but should be more adequate than doses generally recommended for an average total population. Those CYP alleles and polymorphically metabolised drugs which are currently most interesting in drug development and drug treatment are reviewed, and more complete information is available from websites cited in this article.

Extension of a pilot study: impact from the cytochrome P450 2D6 polymorphism on outcome and costs associated with severe mental illness

The influence of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) genetic variability was examined in psychiatric inpatients by evaluating adverse drug events (ADEs), hospital stays, and total costs over a 1-year period in an extension of a previously published brief report. One hundred consecutive psychiatric patients from Eastern State Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky, were genotyped for CYP2D6 expression. ADEs were evaluated by a neurologic rating scale, modified Udvalg for Kliniske Undersogelser Side Effect Rating Scale, or chart review. Information on total hospitalization days and total costs were gathered for a 1-year period. Forty-five percent of the patients received medications that were primarily dependent on the CYP2D6 enzyme for their elimination. When the analysis was restricted to just those patients in each group receiving medication heavily dependent on the CYP2D6 enzyme, the following were observed: (1) a trend toward greater numbers of ADEs from medications as one moved from the group with ultrarapid CYP2D6 activity (UM) to the group with absent CYP2D6 activity (PM); (2) the cost of treating patients with extremes in CYP2D6 activity (UM and PM) was on average $4,000 to $6,000 per year greater than the cost of treating patients in the efficient metabolizer (EM) and intermediate metabolizer (IM) groups; and (3) total duration of hospital stay was more pronounced for those in CYP2D6 PM group. Variance of hospital stays and costs calculated from these preliminary data suggests that 1,500 to 2,000 patients must be evaluated over at least a 1-year period to determine whether the CYP2D6 genetic variation significantly alters the duration of hospital stay and costs.

Therapeutic drug monitoring of psychotropic medications

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of a number of psychotropic medications has proven to be of value, enabling minimization of the limitations of considerable genetic variability in their metabolism and the high rates of poor compliance with many psychiatric disorders. Therapeutic ranges have been established for lithium, some of the tricyclic antidepressants, and clozapine. TDM has also been shown to be useful in avoiding toxicity (as many psychotropics have narrow therapeutic indices), particularly that due to interactions with other compounds.

Pharmacogenetics of classical and new antipsychotic drugs

Several classical antipsychotic drugs, i.e., chlorpromazine, haloperidol, perphenazine, thioridazine and zuclopenthixol; and some new neuroleptic drugs, i.e., risperidone and sertindole, are metabolized predominantly by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6. Significant relationships have been reported between the steady state plasma concentrations (Css) of some classical neuroleptics and the CYP2D6 activity or genotype. Several of these drugs also potently inhibit the CYP2D6 activity. These facts explain several drug metabolic interactions of the classical drugs. Two studies failed to show that the CYP2D6 activity predicts the therapeutic effects of haloperidol or perphenazine. Some studies have suggested that the poor metabolizer phenotype is associated with the development of oversedation during treatment with the classical drugs, but other studies have been inconsistent or negative. The CYP2D6 phenotyping and genotyping appear to be useful in predicting the Css of some classical drugs, but their usefulness in predicting clinical effects must be further explored.

Polymorphic cytochromes P450 and drugs used in psychiatry

1. The cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9, display polymorphism. CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 have been studied extensively, and despite their low abundance in the liver, they catalyze the metabolism of many drugs. 2. CYP2D6 has numerous allelic variants, whereas CYP2C19 has only two. Most variants are translated into inactive, truncated protein or fail to express protein. 3. CYP2C9 is expressed as the wild-type enzyme and has two variants, in each of which one amino acid residue has been replaced. 4. The nucleotide base sequences of the cDNAs of the three polymorphic genes and their variants have been determined, and the proteins derived from these genes have been characterized. 5. An absence of CYP2D6 and/or CYP2C19 in an individual produces a poor metabolizer (PM) of drugs that are substrates of these enzymes. 6. When two drugs that are substrates for a polymorphic CYP enzyme are administered concomitantly, each will compete for that enzyme and competitively inhibit the metabolism of the other substrate. This can result in toxicity. 7. Patients can be readily phenotyped or genotyped to determine their CYP2D6 or CYP2C19 enzymatic status. Poor metabolizers (PMs), extensive metabolizers (EMs), and ultrarapid metabolizers (URMs) can be identified. 8. Numerous substrates and inhibitors of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 are identified. 9. An individual's diet and age can influence CYP enzyme activity. 10. CYP2D6 polymorphism has been associated with the risk of onset of various illnesses, including cancer, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy.

Tardive dyskinesia: probing abnormal metabolism with promethazine

Ten in-patients with tardive dyskinesia (TD) (mean AIMS score 16.7) and 8 controls were recruited to the study, and 3 h after oral administration of promethazine a blood sample was taken for assay of levels of promethazine and its immediate metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The TD group had a variety of indicators of impaired or slow metabolism compared to the controls. There was a significant difference in the ratio of promethazine to promethazine sulphoxide (P < 0.05) between patients with TD and the control group. The TD group but not the controls showed increasing metabolic impairment with age. This small study confirms the previous reports of impaired neuroleptic metabolism in TD, particularly in the elderly.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of affective disorders--III. Tolerability, safety and pharmacoeconomics

The clinical use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) is often complicated by toxicity and safety problems due to their effects on multiple mechanisms of action, many of which are unnecessary for therapeutic effect. The development of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with their selective mode of action, has resulted in a class of antidepressant drugs possessing an improved side-effect profile, while retaining good clinical efficacy. Their introduction into clinical practice has led to enhanced patient compliance with antidepressant therapy and the ability to maintain treatment over longer periods of time at an adequate therapeutic dose. Although, as a result of their selective action, side-effects associated with SSRI therapy are minimised, distinct variations between individual SSRIs in terms of their tolerability profiles have been observed. The wealth of clinical data now available has revealed differences in their potential to cause psychiatric and neurological side-effects, dermatological reactions, anticholinergic side-effects, changes in body weight, sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, discontinuation reactions and drug-drug interactions. Patients who suffer from concomitant depression and physical illness may experience different tolerability profiles, in addition to the greater likelihood that they will be receiving concomitant medications with the potential for pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions with coadministered SSRI therapy. In addition, the safety margin of SSRIs in overdose may vary within the group. Knowledge of the differences that exist among the SSRIs in respect of tolerability and safety will aid physicians in the selection of the most beneficial treatment strategy for their patients. A successful clinical outcome leads to a reduced economic burden for the patient, their family and the healthcare services. Thus, pharmacoeconomic considerations are also important in choosing antidepressant therapy. The SSRIs, despite relatively higher prescription costs, have been demonstrated to be a more cost-effective option than the TCAs. Furthermore, there is evidence that the emerging clinical differences between SSRIs may translate into significantly different economic outcomes within the group.

SSRI-induced extrapyramidal side-effects and akathisia: implications for treatment

The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may occasionally induce extrapyramidal side-effects (EPS) and/or akathisia. This may be a consequence of serotonergically-mediated inhibition of the dopaminergic system. Manifestations of these effects in patients may depend on predisposing factors such as the presence of psychomotor disturbance, a previous history of drug-induced akathisia and/or EPS, concurrent antidopaminergic and/or serotonergic therapy, recent monoamine oxidase inhibitor discontinuation, comorbid Parkinson's disease and possibly deficient cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzyme status. There is increasing awareness that there may be a distinct form of melancholic or endogenous depression with neurobiological underpinnings similar to those of disorders of the basal ganglia such as Parkinson's disease. Thus, it is not surprising that some individuals with depressive disorders appear to be susceptible to developing drug-induced EPS and/or akathisia. In addition, the propensity for the SSRIs to induce these effects in individual patients may vary within the drug class depending, for example, on their selectivity for serotonin relative to other monoamines, affinity for the 5-HT2C receptor, pharmacokinetic drug interaction potential with concomitantly administered neuroleptics and potential for accumulation due to a long half-life. The relative risk of EPS and akathisia associated with SSRIs have yet to be clearly established. The potential risks may be reduced by avoiding rapid and unnecessary dose titration. Furthermore, early recognition and appropriate management of EPS and/or akathisia is required to prevent the impact of these effects on patient compliance and subjective well-being. It is important that the rare occurrence of EPS in patients receiving SSRIs does not preclude their use in Parkinson's disease where their potentially significant role requires more systematic evaluation.