Pharmacogenetic markers of antipsychotic-induced weight gain: leptin and neuroepeptide Y

Antipsychotic drugs are a critical modality in managing of schizophrenia. Although medications can be highly eective, response varies and some patients derive considerably less benet than others. Long-term use of antipsychotic drugs is associated with the development of adverse reactions. Te safety advantages of the atypical drugs havebeen questioned because of their propensity to induce weight gain and alter glucose and lipid metabolism. Antipsychotic-induced weight gain is a common cause of self-discontinuation of treatment and a signicant deterioration in the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. Te severity of adverse reactions when taking antipsychotics in dierent patients varies, which be associated with genetic factors. Antipsychotic induced weight gain is a major health concern and unfortunately, there is no predictive tool to identify who are high risk individuals. Te LEP, LEPR and NRY genes represents a compellings candidates for genetic studies of antipsychotic-induced weight gain. Candidate gene selection should rely on current knowledge on the molecular pathways to weight gain, antipsychotic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, as well as possible disease-related genetic links to the side eects under study. Pharmacogenetics will provide rational treatment based on matching antipsychotics to a patient’s DNA prole, thus, potentially providing eective treatment with minimal side eects to outliers and mean responders to a given antipsychotic medication.