Genomic basis of psychiatric illnesses and response to psychiatric drug treatment modalities

In the past few years, we have witnessed a formidable progress in the field of biological research of psychiatric diseases, owing much on the revolutionary findings in the field of genomics. The availability of cost-effective methods for large-scale genome sequencing has yielded results of statistical significance that in the former years would not have been dreamed of. The new findings help elucidating the genetic basis of common complex illnesses, such as schizophrenia, affective and anxiety disorders, trauma-related disorders, and substance use disorders, which carry an enormous morbidity and mortality burden on patients, families, and the society. In parallel, efforts are ongoing for unraveling the individual differences in the response to pharmaceutical treatment, by deciphering the genomic basis of differential pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers, setting the basis for genomics informed, personalized care. Educational, ethical, and legal issues should, on the other hand, cautiously be addressed. In the present chapter, we provide an overview of psychiatric genomics and pharmacogenomics and their implications for public health and care.