Using genetic variants as a treatment decision aid for the optimization of antipsychotic treatments: a critical appraisal of the literature.

The group in Canada has extensively studied the factors (known as biomarkers) that can influence how people respond to anti-psychotic drugs, including if patients will develop side-effects. Our group in Liverpool has experience with compiling and analysing the large amounts of evidence required to prove a link between the biomarkers, and the patient’s response. The current methods for doing this are time consuming and labour-intensive. During this study, we will trial a new machine learning method for analysing biomarker evidence to antipsychotic drug responses. This will be compared with a parallel analysis using the established methods. In addition to allowing a comparison of the two methods, an understanding of the evidence around biomarkers and anti-psychotic drugs will be generated, hopefully identifying biomarkers showing strong links with responses. Based on this, we hope to be able to make recommendations for the use of biomarkers in clinical practice.

Faculty Supervisor:

Britt Drögemöller

Student:

Partner:

University of Liverpool

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Public Service, Policy, and Governance

University:

University of Manitoba

Program: