Entheon Biomedical has announced an improved genetic screening platform that includes the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene.
The BDNF gene can affect the secretion of BDNF protein, which is released as a result of being dosed with ketamine.
BDNF helps with the growth and maintenance of new neurons and synapses that are necessary for normal mood regulation and neural connectivity. Testing for the BDNF Val66Met genetic polymorphism can better help individuals understand their response to ketamine.
Approximately 30 per cent of the population carries the BDNF ‘Met’ genetic variant, which can impair the secretion of BDNF. These individuals are more likely to have a decreased response to the antidepressant effects of ketamine therapy.
Developed by Entheon’s wholly-owned subsidiary, HaluGen Life Sciences, the Genetic Test Kit also includes six other relevant pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and mental health risk biomarkers.
These include:
- The HTR2A gene, which can impact response to serotonin, which is the primary mechanism of action for serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD and DMT, for the 20 per cent of the population that carry a specific gene variant which influences serotonin receptor density
- The CYP2B6 gene, which can decrease the metabolism of ketamine, for the 10 to 20 per cent of people that carry a specific ‘poor metaboliser’ gene variant
- The CYP2D6 gene of which a ‘poor metaboliser’ gene mutation, carried by approximately 5 to 10 per cent of the population, influences the metabolism of LSD, MDMA and ayahuasca causing individuals to metabolise these hallucinogenic drugs up to two times slower than normal
- The C4A, NRG1 and DISC1 genes, which can influence mental health risk.
CEO of Entheon, Timothy Ko, commetned: “HaluGen’s testing panel and software platform are invaluable tools to enable genetic testing for psychedelics.
“We are excited to be pioneers in the field of psychedelic personalised medicine and hope that our platform can help drive valuable insights and outcomes for psychedelic therapy.”
HaluGen has also launched a new software platform that allows genetic testing to be added to psychedelic clinical trials and studies.
Its clinical research platform enables easy subject enrolment, tracking, genetic analysis and reporting for relevant psychedelic biomarkers.
[activecampaign form=52]
