1. Home
  2. Genetic Insights
  3. How is pharmacogenomic testing different from “traditional” diagnostic testing?

How is pharmacogenomic testing different from “traditional” diagnostic testing?

Genetic Insights

When people hear of pharmacogenomic testing, they may think it’s the same as genetic testing used to diagnose disease. The GeneSight® test is a pharmacogenomic test, not a diagnostic test.

While both tests may analyze DNA, there are meaningful differences between the two:

  • Diagnostic testing looks at changes in a person’s DNA that are associated with a disease — such as types of breast cancer. A mutation may show proof of a disease or lack of the mutation may help rule out the disease.
  • Pharmacogenomic tests look at changes in a person’s DNA that can influence how they metabolize or respond to medications. This type of testing helps guide healthcare providers in choosing medications and dosing. However, it cannot identify which medications or doses will definitely work for a patient.

Who are Candidates for Each Test?

  • Diagnostic testing: People who are suspected of having — or at risk to develop — a specific genetic disease.
  • Pharmacogenomic testing: People being considered for medications, changes in medications, or dose adjustments to treat conditions, including those involving mental health.

Can GeneSight be Used for Diagnosis?

No, diagnostic testing for psychiatric illness is not currently possible. There is no single genetic marker that can reliably diagnose any particular psychiatric illness — multiple genes as well as environmental factors are involved.

While some genes have been connected to the risk of developing certain conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder1–3, these genes contribute only a small amount to the overall disease risk. As a result, testing for these markers is unlikely to provide meaningful information.

In contrast, pharmacogenomic testing can provide clinical benefit by helping healthcare providers select genetically optimal medications. This can help patients get on the right medication faster.

Questions?

For more information on how the GeneSight test can help you and your physician, visit genesight.com, email us at [email protected], or phone 855.891.9415.

References

  1. Jiang, H. et al. Evaluating the association between CACNA1C rs1006737 and schizophrenia risk: A meta-analysis. Asia-Pacific Psychiatry 7, 260–267 (2015).
  2. Arnedo, J. et al. Uncovering the Hidden Risk Architecture of the Schizophrenias: Confirmation in Three Independent Genome-Wide Association Studies. Am J Psychiatry 172, 139–153 (2015).
  3. Ferreira, M., O’Donovan, M. & Meng, Y. Collaborative genome-wide association analysis supports a role for ANK3 and CACNA1C in bipolar disorder. Nat. … 40, 1056–1058 (2008).
Healthcare Provider

PRIME Care Time-to-Event Analysis

In 2022, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) undertook the Precision Medicine in Mental Health Care, or PRIME Care study, the largest phar...

Read more

    Learn more

    Learn more about GeneSight
    How to talk to your provider
    View our clinical studies

    Take the next step with the GeneSight test

    Take a step closer to getting the GeneSight test or registering to provide the test to your patients. We will follow up with additional information either via email or phone.

    The GeneSight test must be ordered by a registered clinician. If you are a patient, caregiver or office staff who would like a clinician to be registered to administer the GeneSight test, please include their name and contact information.

    If you are a current registered provider or tested patient, please contact us.

    Take the Next Step - PD

    1. Step 1
    2. Step 2
    3. Step 3
    Please provide us with your name



    1. Step 1
    2. Step 2
    3. Step 3
    Please provide contact and clinic information
    Please provide contact information

    We are asking for Date of Birth for data verification purposes.










    We are asking for Date of Birth for data verification purposes.

    If you do not have a clinician, we have a directory of healthcare providers who are registered to order the GeneSight test. When you complete this form, we will link you to this directory, so you will have the option to view registered GeneSight providers in your area.







    Your clinician who is currently managing your medication and making treatment decisions can order your GeneSight test.

    If you do not have a clinician, we have a directory of healthcare providers who are registered to order the GeneSight test. When you complete this form, we will link you to this directory, so you will have the option to view registered GeneSight providers in your area.

    Please provide your clinician's information
    The GeneSight test must be ordered by your clinician








    1. Step 1
    2. Step 2
    3. Step 3

    How can we help?
    When completed, we'll follow up with more information
    Please let us know how we can best help you
    When completed, we'll follow up with more information


    Already taken the GeneSight test and need access to your results?








    Contact Information

    By submitting this form, you authorize Myriad to contact you about your inquiry via email and/or phone (including SMS/text message). Additionally, please note communications may be unsecure and carry typical risks associated with such transmissions. By submitting this form, you also acknowledge that you understand the foregoing warning and understand the typical risk of email and phone transmissions. For further information on our privacy practices, including information about opting-out of communications for Myriad, please visit our Privacy Notice and Notice of Privacy Practices.

    Chat