…Many medical experts…have long understood the crucial role of genetics in dependency and abuse, with numerous studies indicating that at least half of a personโs susceptibility to drug addiction is linked to genetic factors. Within the fields of neuropsychiatry and pharmacogenetics, in particular, genetics has emerged as the key to evaluating medications that influence the areas of the brain where we feel the sensations of pain and the cravings of addiction. Yet despite a growing body of clinical research and data, genetic testing is not currently incorporated into the standard of care for those who suffer from our nationโs largest health condition โ chronic pain.
…Differences in the degree of pain stimulation and pain sensitivity, weight and age differences, prior opioid use and tolerance, as well as the differences in bioavailability of various opioid formulations have been cited as causes for the wide variability in analgesia seen with opioids. However, a significant component of chronic pain may also be explained by genetic polymorphisms. Genetic information may explain the variability of responses and help predict more effective (or less dangerous) treatments and medication choices and doses…
Share this article
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion, and analysis. Read full, original post: Improving Patient Outcomes and Costs with Clinical and Genetic Data
