University of Otago research explores pharmacogenetics for personalised mental health treatment

Mental health disorders continue to pose a public health challenge globally, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that around 280 million people live with depression worldwide. While medications are available, identifying the right treatment often remains a trial-and-error process, as individuals can respond differently to the same psychiatric medicines.

In India, the burden remains significant. According to experts at a recent Government of India post-Budget webinar, one in seven Indians is affected by mental health disorders, while treatment gaps across several states range from 70 per cent to 90 per cent. According to the experts, this highlights the need for more personalised approaches to mental healthcare that can help patients receive the right treatment earlier and improve clinical outcomes.

Globally, researchers are exploring pharmacogenomics and precision medicine to personalise mental healthcare. According to researchers, understanding how an individual’s genetic makeup influences their response to medicines could support targeted prescribing approaches, improve treatment effectiveness, minimise adverse drug reactions and reduce reliance on the current trial-and-error approach to prescribing.

Against this backdrop, researchers at the University of Otago, New Zealand, are investigating how pharmacogenetics can improve the prescribing of medicines used to treat mental health conditions. According to the university, the research focuses on understanding how inherited genetic variations influence an individual’s response to antidepressants and other psychiatric medicines, with the long-term objective of supporting evidence-based treatment decisions.

The research also highlights the contribution of Indian-origin scientists to healthcare research. Dr Simran Maggo, Research Fellow at the University of Otago, is among the researchers working on pharmacogenetics and adverse drug reactions.

According to the researchers, advances in pharmacogenetic research could support countries such as India, where mental health disorders continue to place a burden on individuals and healthcare systems. They noted that while further research and clinical validation are required, developments in genetic-guided prescribing may contribute to personalised treatment, improved patient outcomes and mental healthcare pathways in the future.