Biomarkers for predicting response to clozapine treatment

摘要

This invention provides methods to predict the likelihood of suicidal or self-destructive behaviour in a patient during treatment. The method employs the detection of a VNTR polymorphism in the 3'-UTR of the dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3). Patients with nine or fewer repeats are considered poor responders to clozapine. Nine or fewer repeats in the SLC6A3 gene have been correlated with poor expression of the SLC6A3 gene. Also provided are methods of treatment based on the presence or absence of this polymorphism or surrogate markers thereof. Also provided are kits to use in the methods of the invention.