Historically, diagnosis of psychiatric illness has centered on subjective evaluation of the patient’s reported behaviors and feelings.  No objective bases for evaluation has been available.  As such, accurate diagnosis has been extremely challenging, particularly in illnesses such as this with many variations that may appear to be a different illness altogether.

Psynomics’ scientists discovered the first gene linked to bipolar disorder and developed Psynome™, the world’s first genetic test for bipolar disorder. Psynome™ can help your doctor to more quickly and accurately determine an appropriate diagnosis for you, and if you are bipolar, help predict which drug therapies might work best.

Psynomics’ DNA-based test is the only objective test available for bipolar disorder.

Treatment Solutions
Psynome2™– tests for gene mutations in the Promoter L allele gene that predicts a patient’s likely response to serotonin-based drugs, the most commonly prescribed drug therapies in psychiatry today.

Testing for an individual’s favorable or unfavorable response to serotonin-based drugs can provide your doctor with a tool to significantly reduce the “guess-work” involved in traditional“trial and error” protocols.

In total confidentiality, the test will include the following:

• DNA sample collection: A package will be mailed to you containing a "spit kit". To collect cells containing your DNA, you deposit your saliva into the kit’s marked and re-sealable container. The collection procedure is safe, painless and takes only three minutes. A small sample of your saliva contains enough DNA for our tests.  You will mail your sample back to Psynomics in a return-postage paid envelope. Only a code number will be used to identify you on the mailer, assuring complete confidentiality.
• DNA testing: Your DNA will be tested for GRK3 and two of its genetic variations. Your DNA will also be tested for response to serotonin-based drugs, the basic element used in most types of drug therapy used today.
• Psynomics scientists will evaluate your test results and provide a report summarizing them along with an explanation of what this means directly to your health care provider (“doctor”).  If you order both tests, your doctor will receive a combined report for the two tests.  Psynomics’ report to your doctor will indicate the appropriate diagnosis for you as well as the appropriate drug therapy to help you feel better.

You Should Consider Testing If:

• You have had problems with depression, mania or irritability and want to know if you have a genetic predisposition to bipolar disorder and whether you should seek treatment.
• You are currently being treated for depression or bipolar disorder and you and your doctor want state-of-the-art DNA testing to help confirm your diagnosis and choose the best treatment.
• You are being treated for depression and your doctor would like to test you for possible bipolar disorder
• You and your doctor would like to know how you will likely respond to serotonin-based drug treatments.
• You are being treated, but want a second opinion regarding your diagnosis and treatment.
• You are being treated with, or are considering treatment with, antidepressants.
• You would like to learn more about the possible role of genes for mood disorder in your illness and in your family.

What Can Testing Tell Me?

• Do I have a gene for bipolar disorder? There are likely dozens of genes for bipolar disorder that combine to cause a risk for illness. Psynomics will test you for one of the known genes, called GRK3, which has been shown to be associated with bipolar disorder. If you have this gene, then you are more likely to have bipolar disorder. GRK3 has several variations, and depending on which variation you have, you will be two to three times more likely to have bipolar disorder than someone without the gene.
• What treatments will help me? Your DNA will be tested for genes that influence your response to the most often prescribed drug therapies (serotonin-based) for depression and bipolar disorder. Your history and diagnosis will also suggest likely treatments. This information will be used by the Psynomics doctor to recommend treatments likely to help. This information can then be used by your doctor to select the best treatment.

What Can Psynomics Testing Not Tell Me?

• There is no definitive test for psychiatric diagnosis. Genes may increase the probability that you have a given illness. A positive test means you have a higher probability of having bipolar disorder. You can have the GRK3 gene and not have bipolar disorder - but you have a higher likelihood of doing so than another person without the gene.
• A negative test is uninformative. Psynomics’ test may rule out the role of some genes in your case, but you may still have bipolar disorder as a result of other genetic causes or from stress, environmental causes, illness or other factors.
• There is no definitive test to predict medication response. Psynomics testing will indicate whether you have a higher or lower probability of benefiting from SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) medications.
• It does not tell you if you will develop bipolar disorder in the future.
• It does not tell you if your children will develop a mood disorder.

How Will I Benefit?

• This test will lead to a more accurate diagnosis.
• This will in turn lead to the most appropriate treatment.
• You will better understand your diagnosis and your symptoms and their impact on your life in the future.
• You can make more informed decisions with your doctor regarding your treatment.
• With appropriate diagnosis and treatment you will be more stable and have more control over the impact of this illness on your life.