DNA Mind tests for genetic variations associated with changes in key biological areas that affect mental health. Weaknesses in these areas, together with environmental factors, increase the risk for development of disorders related to mental health. The areas of mental health reported in DNA Mind include: Neurodegenerative disorders, mood disorders, and addictive behaviour.
TESTS FOR
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISORDERS
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) causes a slight, but noticeable and measurable decline in cognitive abilities, including memory and thinking skills. Individuals with mild cognitive impairment are at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) or another dementia. Altered functioning of specific biological areas has been related to increased risk of MCI as well as late-onset AD.
The genes analysed are APOE, CRP, IL-1, IL-6, TNFA, COMT, BDNF which are involved in either lipid metabolism, inflammation, dopaminergic and neurotrophic processes.
MOOD DISORDERS
Mood disorders are psychological disorders that are characterized by the elevation or lowering of an individual’s mood, to the extent that it can interfere with everyday life for an extended period of time. The specific mood disorders reported include bipolar, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The genes associated with mood disorders include CRP, IL-1, IL-6, TNFA, MTHFR, MTR, COMT, BDNF, 1A HTR1A, FKBP5, OXTR, CACNA1C, ANK3, GSK3B and are analysed as part of inflammation, methylation, dopaminergic, neurotrophic, serotonergic, stress response, cell signalling and WNT signalling.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOURS:
Addictive behaviour can manifest in a number of disorders, which are complex in their aetiology and are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Genetics and addictive areas of the association include behavioural disorders such as eating disorders (binge eating), ‘adrenaline seeking’, and risk-taking behaviour. Substance use disorders include risk of alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and opioid dependence. This area will also report on psychosis response from cannabis use.
The genes associated with addictive behaviours are CHRNA3, CHRNA5, CNR1, FAAH, AKT1, DRD1, DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, COMT, OPRM1, BDNF, SLC6A4 and GABRA2. These genes are involved in cell signalling, endocannabinoid, dopaminergic, neurotrophic, serotonergic and stress response processes.
DNA | mygeneRx
The DNA | mygeneRx test analyses your unique DNA to determine how you metabolise medication. DNA | mygeneRx is made up of three separate test panels: mycardioRx, mypainRx, and mypsychRx. You can decide to do each panel separately or all 3 at once.
Pharmacogenomics, the study of the relationship between genes and response to drugs, has been the subject of intensive research over the past two decades and robust evidence now exists to support testing under clinical conditions.
There is a great deal of variability in how someone responds to medications due to their genes that govern drug metabolism. Pharmacogenomics empowers your doctor to provide person-specific medical interventions and replaces the current trial and error approach to drug therapy.
A pharmacogenomics test gives insight into how specific prescription drugs are metabolised, transported, and bound in your body. This, in turn, allows your doctor to prescribe those medications that will most likely be effective, to avoid those that will not, and to better adjust medication doses to safe, yet therapeutic, levels. Such a personalised approach to medicine has the power to produce better results, particularly for individuals whose genetic profile puts them at risk of experiencing either treatment failure or an adverse reaction from a given drug.
With a deeper knowledge of your genetics, you can ensure you’re taking the right medication, at the right dose. It means fewer side-effects, safer treatment, and maximum efficacy.
Once your Medcheck psych cheek swab has been returned to the lab for analysis, and your test analysis in the lab, the results will be sent to you. We encourage you to discuss your results with your doctor so they can plan a safe, informed and effective treatment plan for you.
Note: If your medical practitioner isn’t willing to assist in the process, you should consider getting a second opinion. You have the right to choose a medical practitioner willing to accommodate your unique healthcare needs. We can recommend health care practitioners trained in this test if need be.
It may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but genetic testing is a powerful health tool that can give you a deep understanding of how your body works.
At the heart of it is the molecule DNA. Every single cell in our bodies – from our heart to skin, blood and bone – contains a complete set of our DNA. This powerful molecule carries our genetic code and determines all manner of traits, from our eye colour to aspects of our personalities and, of course, our health. Interestingly, 99.9% of the DNA from two people is identical. It’s the other 0.1% of DNA code sequences that make us unique.
