• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Psynomics, Inc. Announces Gene Tests for Psychiatric Bipolar Disorder

Posted on: Monday, 4 February 2008, 09:01 CST

Psynomics, Inc., a privately held life-sciences company offering innovative genetic screening products and services for neuropsychiatric illnesses, today announced that two tests for bipolar disorder are available for purchase on its web-site, along with descriptions, references and instructions. Either patients or their physicians may order the simple, non-invasive kits to collect DNA samples from saliva and the results are reported confidentially to the patient's physician.

Doctors are constantly making diagnostic and treatment decisions based on limited and imperfect information. The tests are designed to provide objective data for use by doctors in combination with their other evaluations to arrive at a more timely and accurate diagnosis of a patient's condition and the right therapy.

A recent article in the magazine "Science," reviewing the company and its science, announced that Psynomics was the first company to venture into the new field of psychiatric gene testing.

The Tests

Psynome(TM) tests for two mutations of the GRK3 gene that have been associated with bipolar disorder in multiple studies of hundreds of patients and Psynome2(TM) tests for serotonin transporter (SSRI) response as a predictor of patient response to serotonin-based drugs, the most commonly prescribed drug therapies in psychiatry today. Psynomics' lab work is highly reproducible and performed in a CLIA and state regulated laboratory.

"GRK3 is one of what are likely many genes that are involved in the cause of bipolar disorder," said Dr. John Kelsoe, M.D., Psynomics' chief scientific officer. "Alone it may apply to only a subset of patients and explain only a small portion of the disease. However, given the average 7 years lapse between first symptoms and accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder, GRK3 and other gene tests can now provide additional data to aid the doctor in making the correct diagnosis of bipolar disorder earlier in the course of a patient's illness. Psynomics is presently building its panel of genes and plans to work with pharmaceutical companies to make the panel more informative for more patients."

In addition to being the CSO of Psynomics and a professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, Dr. Kelsoe is also a practicing psychiatrist who sees and treats bipolar patients every week.

About Psynomics, Inc.

Improving the lives of people living with mental illness

Based in La Jolla, California, Psynomics Inc. is a life-sciences company providing innovative tools for the evaluation and treatment of the biological basis of mental illness. Further information can be found at www.psynomics.com.

Disclaimer

If you have personal questions about any of the mental health conditions discussed in any information provided by Psynomics, Inc, we strongly recommend that you talk to your healthcare professional, doctor or therapist. The services, products and information offered by Psynomics, Inc. are not intended to replace discussions with a mental health provider. All decisions regarding mental healthcare should be made with a mental healthcare professional and consider the unique nature of each individual.

 EDITORIAL CONTACTS:  Kurt May Psynomics, Inc. 858-534-3745 Email Contact  Doug Forsyth Alchymia Communications LLC 541-482-8744 Email Contact

SOURCE: Psynomics. Inc.

Source: MARKET WIRE

More News in this Category