KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., – Oct. 8, 2018 – To kick off Mental Health Awareness Week, Genomind® patients will go live on Facebook to share about their experiences with Genomind’s Genecept Assay®. This genetic test helps clinicians identify effective treatment for their patients’ mental health issues based on their DNA.
The Facebook Live discussion with patients Kristen Davis and James Crawford is scheduled for Tuesday, October 9, 2018at 7 p.m. EDT on Genomind’s Facebook page.
While many patients depend on trial-and-error to find the right medication, the Genecept Assay test looks at key genes that affect how one’s body responds to medication. In a published study, clinicians reported that 87% of their patients showed improvement with treatment guided by the Genecept Assay.
Tuesday’s live discussion is an opportunity to learn about the life-changing potential of genetic testing as it relates to depression and other mental health conditions. Kristen and James will share their personal stories, described below.
How Genetic Testing Helped Kristen Davis Find the Right Medication
Kristen Davis of Washington, D.C. attempted suicide before she met with a psychiatrist who suggested the Genecept Assay to help her find the right medication. After a simple cheek swab, her psychiatrist was able to prescribe drugs that specifically targeted her unique genetic variants. Within a couple of weeks, Davis noticed improvement in her thoughts; she recently finished graduate school and got married. “I now understand that my depression is a chronic illness that needs to be treated with ongoing medication, like diabetes or any other chronic illness,” she says.
James Crawford’s Personalized Treatment Based on Genetic Testing
James Crawford of Arlington, Va. had tried different anti-depressants for nearly two decades—until his psychiatrist suggested the Genecept Assay to help guide his treatment. The test showed, based on his genetic makeup, that he likely didn’t need anti-depressants. With his doctor’s guidance, he switched to a mood stabilizer/anti-seizure medication and L-methylfolate, a medicinal food. Crawford says, “There is no other way to have discovered this information except through a genetic test. All the trial-and-error would have left me more depressed and confused. Instead, my life is different and I no longer feel I’m drowning.”
Tune in on Tuesday to hear more and learn about the Genecept Assay.
About Genomind
Genomind® is a unique personalized medicine platform that brings innovation to healthcare around the world. Genomind, comprised of pioneering scientists and thought leaders in brain health and genetics, delivers actionable insights to clinicians, healthcare partners and individuals in order to improve the quality of human life. Learn more at www.genomind.com.
About the Genecept Assay
The Genecept Assay® is a genetic test designed to help clinicians optimize treatment decisions for their patients with mental illness. It identifies patient-specific genetic markers that indicate which treatments are likely to work as intended, have no effect or cause adverse effects. It is an easily administered cheek swab test that analyzes key genes that have been selected based on hundreds of studies showing that variations in these genes can inform treatment decisions. The Assay is used to guide treatment for a range of psychiatric conditions, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), autism, schizophrenia, chronic pain and substance abuse, and has been shown in peer-reviewed published studies to improve patient outcomes and reduce overall medical costs. Each Assay provides clinicians with an easy-to-read patient report and a complimentary psychopharmacogenomic consultation. Learn more.
