Pharmacogenetic‑guided treatment in major depressive disorder

Depression affects millions of individuals worldwide, presenting a significant challenge for clinicians striving to match patients with effective treatments.Conventional antidepressant therapy involves a trial-and-error approach, leading to delayed relief, increased healthcare costs and patient distress.Recent advancements in pharmacogenetics provide a promising avenue for personalized treatment, leveraging genetic information to optimize medication selection and dosage adjustments.The present study aimed to investigate the extent of genetic polymorphisms that affect antidepressant drug metabolism and efficacy in a psychiatric population.Additionally, the present study investigated pharmacogenetic-guided treatment outcomes in a sub-population of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder.Pharmacogenetic-guided therapy represents a novel strategy which can be used to personalize depression treatment, providing the potential to enhance efficacy, safety and patient satisfaction.While challenges persist, accumulating evidence supports its integration into routine clinical practice, heralding a new era of precision medicine in mental health care.