Investigation of D2 and 5-HT2A Genetic Variants on Antipsychotic Responsiveness | Dr. Ranran French | $57,705
Investigation of D2 and 5-HT2A Genetic Variants on Antipsychotic Responsiveness 2025 Award: $57,705 Many patients with schizophrenia endure months or even years of suboptimal treatment before finding an antipsychotic that works. This project aims to change that by identifying how individual genetic differences in brain receptors affect treatment response. The ultimate goal: a personalized tool that helps doctors choose the right antipsychotic the first time. Need/Problem: Antipsychotics are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, yet patient responses vary widely. Many patients endure a lengthy trial-and-error process during medication selection, which often leads to prolonged symptoms and hospitalization, unnecessary side effects, and poor long-term outcomes. A precision-medicine approach is urgently needed to guide antipsychotic selection using a person’s unique genetic information. Grant Summary: This study will analyze how genetic variations in two key neuroreceptors—D2 and 5-HT2A—affect a patient’s long-term clinical stability [...]