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New gene testing discovered for bipolar patients
Patients can order tests online and send samples back to a lab for diagnosis
Stephanie Lyons, Daily Vidette Staff
Issue date: 4/22/08 Section: News
With the difficulty of diagnosing bipolar disorder, a new test provides some insight on treating patients who may have tried other medications and procedures.
According to Sandy Colbs, director of Student Health Services, bipolar disorder is said to have a very strong biological basis as a chemical balance.
"It results in a variety of symptoms including symptoms of depression and symptoms of mania which are periods of either a very positive euphoric mood or sometimes very irritable mood, impulsive behavior and some difficulties in focusing thoughts," Colbs said.
John Kelsoe, a psychiatric geneticist at the University of California in San Diego, has spent the past 15 years researching bipolar disorder.
"To seek the genetic basis of certain forms of mental disorders...he started to identify certain genes that linked to well characterized illnesses," Kurt May, chief executive officer and founder of Psynomics, said.
The company, Psynomics, now produces a test that can be ordered over the Internet to help detect the gene associated with bipolar disorder, or the mutations of it. Even though the test is purchased over the Internet, the consumer only has a small part in the testing process.
"The patient goes on our Web site and signs up to order the test. This is very much like a contact lens cleaning kit. It's just a little plastic cup, you unscrew the kit, spit into the cup and seal it back up," May said.
The saliva sample is then sent back to the company where a pathologist and a board certified psychiatrist review the results of the test. If the genes are present, there is a 200 to 300 percent increase in the probability of the patient having bipolar disorder.
The results of the test along with the appropriate medication suggestions are sent to the patient's physician, not the patient.
"The doctor is in charge of patient care throughout the process. We do this deliberately. This is very different from the business models of some of the other providers in the marketplace because in absolutely no way is this in-home testing," May said.
According to Sandy Colbs, director of Student Health Services, bipolar disorder is said to have a very strong biological basis as a chemical balance.
"It results in a variety of symptoms including symptoms of depression and symptoms of mania which are periods of either a very positive euphoric mood or sometimes very irritable mood, impulsive behavior and some difficulties in focusing thoughts," Colbs said.
John Kelsoe, a psychiatric geneticist at the University of California in San Diego, has spent the past 15 years researching bipolar disorder.
"To seek the genetic basis of certain forms of mental disorders...he started to identify certain genes that linked to well characterized illnesses," Kurt May, chief executive officer and founder of Psynomics, said.
The company, Psynomics, now produces a test that can be ordered over the Internet to help detect the gene associated with bipolar disorder, or the mutations of it. Even though the test is purchased over the Internet, the consumer only has a small part in the testing process.
"The patient goes on our Web site and signs up to order the test. This is very much like a contact lens cleaning kit. It's just a little plastic cup, you unscrew the kit, spit into the cup and seal it back up," May said.
The saliva sample is then sent back to the company where a pathologist and a board certified psychiatrist review the results of the test. If the genes are present, there is a 200 to 300 percent increase in the probability of the patient having bipolar disorder.
The results of the test along with the appropriate medication suggestions are sent to the patient's physician, not the patient.
"The doctor is in charge of patient care throughout the process. We do this deliberately. This is very different from the business models of some of the other providers in the marketplace because in absolutely no way is this in-home testing," May said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Sherrill Sander
posted 4/26/08 @ 8:31 AM CST
How and where can one order this bipolar test?
Appliance Parts
posted 11/30/08 @ 7:15 AM CST
This is really great news. I wouldn't have expected such things to happen right now. Actually, I am sure that no one has ever thought that this gene would be discovered so soon. (Continued…)
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