Portable, low-cost genetic test to guide antidepressant choices
A Portable, Low-Cost, Pont-of-care Microfluidic System for Rapid Pharmacogenomic Screening of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · NIH-11309190
This project is creating a small, affordable device that rapidly reads genes that affect how people with major depressive disorder process antidepressants to help choose safer, more effective medicines.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11309190 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, the team is building a handheld microfluidic device that can run rapid pharmacogenomic tests at the point of care to read key CYP genes such as CYP2D6 and CYP2C19. The device is designed to use a small blood or saliva sample and deliver results much faster than sending samples to a central lab. Faster results could let clinicians tailor antidepressant selection and dosing earlier, reducing trial-and-error prescribing. The research combines engineering, genetic assays, and clinical workflows to make testing cheaper and more accessible in outpatient clinics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people diagnosed with major depressive disorder who are about to start or change antidepressant medication, especially SSRIs, or those with prior poor responses or side effects.
Not a fit: Patients without major depressive disorder, those treated exclusively with non-CYP-metabolized therapies, or people who already have comprehensive pharmacogenomic testing are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help people with depression get the right antidepressant sooner and reduce side effects from wrong dosing.
How similar studies have performed: Genetic testing for CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 is already used in clinical settings and some tests have shown benefit, but a rapid, low-cost point-of-care microfluidic device would be a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA — CHARLOTTESVILLE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: VENTON, B. JILL — UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- Study coordinator: VENTON, B. JILL
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.