Have you ever wondered about the risk factors for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? ADHD is a health condition characterized by differences in brain development and brain activity that affect attention span, ability to sit calmly, and also self-control. The genetic basis of ADHD has enabled scientists and health professionals to develop a genetic database for the disorder. Scientific investigations have shown that ADHD is highly inheritable and that genetics contribute to the likelihood of family members sharing ADHD. Also, genetic studies provide some information on how ADHD progress in an individual who may or may not take medication. Hence, a simple pharmacogenetics test can significantly determine the drugs that are most effective in an individual.

THE CHOICE OF ADHD MEDICATION

           Most people who have ADHD or are parents of people with ADHD often resort to trial and error strategies to identify the best medication for treatment. Often time, the patient’s healthcare provider engages in a similar trial and error method while wasting valuable time in human experimentation that has adverse consequences. It is worthy of note that effective treatment of ADHD requires an excellent combination of lifestyle modification and pharmacological intervention. Each treatment category has several options with varying consequences. For example, pharmacological intervention for ADHD involves the use of either stimulant drugs or non-stimulant drugs. Each medication requires a personalized dosing regimen to avoid or minimize unwanted side effects. Often time, the right dose for each patient change based on the patient’s need, response to therapy, and other factors.

 THE ROLE OF PHARMACOGENETIC TESTING

           Advances in science and genetic studies have enabled patients with ADHD to avoid inconveniences, disappointments, unnecessary health expenses, and adverse drug events. Pharmacogenetics testing enables health providers to predict how each patient will respond to particular treatment intervention. The elimination of guesswork from ADHD treatment theoretically allows patients to determine their optimal treatment strategy faster than it has ever been.

INFORMATION CONTAINED IN A PHARMACOGENETIC TEST

           Intervention protocols in medicine are often based on “average” responses from a large group of people. However, there is a lot of variation in how people respond to drugs, probably because of genetic differences in the underlying DNA building block, also called a nucleotide. These variations are found in the DNA between the genes. For example, there is a lot of variety in how serotonin affects the brain of different people. Such differences can guide healthcare providers in selecting the right dose and formulation (extended-release or immediate release) of methylphenidate that is appropriate for a patient with ADHD. Likewise, pharmacogenetics test results can determine the extent of the susceptibility of an ADHD patient to nicotine addiction at a future date. You can receive your FREE resource guide on pharmacogenetics testing by clicking here.