Method to determine the risk for side effects of an SSRI treatment in a person

Abstract

A new method is found to determine an increased risk for side effects of an SSRI treatment in a person by genotyping the person for the presence of the 102 C/C DNA sequence in the 5-HT 2A receptor gene. This provides for a method to improve the treatment of an SSRI responsive disorder and in particular depression.

1 . A method for determining an increased risk for side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment in a subject, comprising genotyping the subject for the presence of the 102 C/C DNA sequence in the subject's 5-HT 2A  receptor gene.  
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject suffers from depression.  
   
   
       3 . A method to improve a treatment of an SSRI responsive disorder in a subject, comprising genotyping the subject for the presence or absence of the 102 C/C DNA sequence in the subject's 5-HT 2A  receptor gene and adapting the further treatment differentially depending on the presence or absence of the said sequence in the subject.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the 102 C/C DNA sequence is found in the subject's 5-HT 2A  receptor gene and the subject is treated with a psychoactive pharmaceutical composition free of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the SSRI responsive disorder is depression and the further treatment is adapted by administering mirtazapine in an amount effective to treat depression.