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Genomic Test Developed for ADHD Drug Decisions

Illustration of brain (NIDA)

(National Institute of Drug Abuse)

AssureRx Health Inc. in Mason, Ohio has developed a test to help clinicians prescribe the appropriate medications for patients — both children and adults — with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The test, called GeneSightRx ADHD, gauges genomic differences in the way different patients would tolerate ADHD medications.

Understanding a patient’s unique genomic composition may help a clinician prescribe a patient’s precise selection of drugs and minimize the chance for side effects that can occur with these medications. The GeneSightRx ADHD test analyzes variations in three genes that influence how a patient might metabolize certain medications used to treat ADHD in children and adults. AssureRx Health says the analysis is based on FDA-approved manufacturer’s drug labels and published research on pharmacogenomics — the influence of genetics on drug response.

The test involves taking a DNA sample from the patient with a non-invasive cheek swab. The specimen is sent overnight to AssureRx Health’s lab, which conducts the analysis. The clinician then receives the patient report through a secure online portal.

According to National Institute of Mental Health, ADHD is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cites surveys of parents that estimate 9.5 percent of children age 4 to 17 have been diagnosed the ADHD as of 2007, with diagnosis increasing by 22 percent between 2003 and 2007.

Read more: Trial Underway for Non-Addictive ADHD Drug for Adults

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