If you are aged 18 to 24 years and interested in the study, you can participate via the PGx-AID study. You may choose to receive an optional pharmacogenetic test report from the PsychPGxLab at the University of Calgary. You can also participate even if you did not experience any side effects from antidepressants. Please click on the link to participate: https://redcap.link/pgxaid
Major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are among the most common mental health disorders in children. Antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are frequently prescribed for these children. Although these medications are generally effective and safe, some children suffer from adverse effects. One such adverse effect is behavioural activation, characterized by hyperactivity, impulsivity, or irritability. Unfortunately, we do not currently know why some children develop behavioural activation while others do not. The proposed project aims to identify a panel of genetic variants that could assist clinicians in detecting children at-risk for developing this adverse effect.
Objectives: The proposed study aims to identify and validate a panel of genetic markers associated with SSRI-induced behavioural activation in children and adolescents with MDD, anxiety disorders, or OCD that could ultimately be used clinically to reduce the incidence of this adverse event and improve health outcomes.
Inclusion criteria:
Resident of Manitoba, Canada
Age, 6 – 17 years
Diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety disorder, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Current or past history of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) therapy, e.g., Citalopram [Celexa], Escitalopram [Cipralex], Fluoxetine [Prozac], Fluvoxamine [Luvox], Sertraline [Zoloft], Paroxetine [Paxil/Plaxil CR])
Have experienced or did not experience any side effects after taking an SSRI
Exclusion criteria:
Inability of parent/legal guardian/mature minors to give informed consent
Inability of the child (6 – 13 years) to give informed assent
Unwillingness of the child to provide a saliva sample for genetic analysis
Current, past, or suspected diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (combined or hyperactive type), oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, or pervasive developmental disorder.
History of liver or bone marrow (hematopoietic cell) transplant.
This study has been approved by the University of Manitoba Health Research Ethics Board (HREB) (HS26592(H2024:248)) and Shared Health Research and Innovation (SH2024:130).
Team:
Principal Investigator: Abdullah Al Maruf, PhD, M.Pharm (University of Manitoba)