Precision Medicine: Personalized Treatment of Depression

Precision Medicine: Personalized Treatment of Depression is organized by Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education (NPACE).

Expiration Date: December 31, 2026

Description:
Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genes affect a person’s response to drugs. This science has given rise to the practice of “precision medicine,” which combines pharmacology (the study of medication) and genomics (the study of genes and their functions) to help prescribers make more personalized medication choices. These include which medications to prescribe to different individuals and what doses will have the best effects. This presentation integrates concepts of neurobiology and neuropathology with genetics and genomics to produce new models for diagnosis and personalized treatment for depressive disorders. The results of the GUIDED study are presented to highlight the efficacy of this approach.

Learning Objectives:
After taking part in this educational activity, participants should be better able to:

• Conceptualize mental illness in the context of epi/genetics and neurobiology, with an emphasis on depressive disorders.
• Discuss contemporary approaches to management of depressive disorders, including practical applications for nurse practitioners.
• Apply concepts of pharmacogenomics to the selection, prescription and management of drug therapy for depression.