THE EVOLVING SCIENCE OF PHARMACOGENETICS - CLINICAL AND ETHNIC PERSPECTIVES

The field of pharmacogenetics has witnessed remarkable progress during the past several decades. Clinical observations of severe toxic react ions and findings of dramatic interindividual as well as cross-ethnic differences in response to therapeutic agents have been instrumental i n fostering advances of the field. Research on cytochrome P450 isozyme s may be of particular importance to the field of psychiatry, because most psychotropics depend on these enzymes for their biotransformation . This article traces the progress of research in this area and highli ghts the importance of clinical and cross-ethnic observations in provi ding the impetus and direction for the field. Knowledge derived from t his line of research is likely to make important contributions toward establishment of rational guidelines for psychopharmacotherapy. In add ition, research on these enzymes may also have profound implications i n regard to the pathogenesis of a number of major disorders, including several types of commonly encountered cancers, as well as neuropsychi atric problems, including Parkinson's disease, tardive dyskinesia, add iction, and drug-induced neurotoxicity.