Pharmacogenetics
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Evaluation of Colorectal Cancer Risk and Prevalence by Stool DNA Integrity Detection
Published on: June 8, 2020
1Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
Abstract:
Pharmacogenetics is the study of how genetics influences drug treatment outcomes. Much research has been conducted to identify and characterize gene variants that impact the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic aspects of medications used to treat neurologic and psychiatric disorders. This chapter reviews the current state of pharmacogenetic aspects of these treatments. Medications with supporting pharmacogenetic information in product labeling, clinical guidelines, or important mechanistic implications are discussed. At this time, clinically relevant genetic variation in drug metabolizing enzymes may inform drug dosing for a number of medications metabolized in the liver. Additionally, genetic variation in immunological genes may be tested to assess risk for severe hypersensitivity reactions to some anticonvulsant drugs. Finally, a growing body of research highlights that genetic polymorphisms in drug targets may influence symptom response or tolerability to some treatments.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics: Overview
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Metabolism: Overview
Principles of Pharmacogenetics: Types of Genetic Variants
Pharmacogenetics of Phase I Enzymes: Cytochrome P450 Isozymes
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters
Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

