UNAM
Revista Digital Universitaria
Revista Digital Universitaria ISSN: 1607 - 6079 | Publicación mensual | 1 de junio de 2014 vol.15, No.06

ABSTRACT

Personalized Medicine in Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders



Humberto Nicolini y Nuria Lanzagorta


The aim of this paper is to instruct the reader in the various developments that have taken place in the genetics of psychiatric illnesses, and substance use disorders. The most recent and relevant data are listed in different areas covering the findings of genomic medicine in psychiatry and addictions. Specifically, the most important findings of the genetic associations of the following disorders are mentioned: dementia (Alzheimer's, Huntington's chorea), affective disorders (depression, bipolar disorder), schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette 's syndrome and substance use disorders (alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs). The text covers the research that has been conducted in psychiatric genetics both globally and in the Latino population. In addition, concepts such as epigenetics and endophenotypes are addressed, as they are characteristic points for understanding psychiatric disorders and complex genetic diseases. The current concept of personalized medicine points out that medical care should be predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory. These topics are analyzed with a focus on mental health. Finally, the contributions of science in the field of pharmacogenetics on drugs acting on the central nervous system are discussed.



Keywords: Addictions, epigenetics, genetics, personalized medicine, psychiatric disorders.