The human genome project was completed in 2003, sequencing thousands of genes essential in mapping a blueprint of our genetic make-up. What’s next? The promising goal of this project was to map all of the genes in humans to further the understanding of diseases, treatment, and medicine.
This scientific information may revolutionize the field of personalized medicine, which utilizes genetic testing to tailor medications and health recommendations. This approach hopes to uniquely transform medicine for all of us in terms of treatment, risks and even diet recommendations. In addition, personalized medicine can help doctors decide on a specific medication and dosage to help prevent adverse events of treatments. This could also be helpful for fibromyalgia pain because many patients respond differently to particular medications and treatments. Scientists are currently researching how to match specific gene variations to medication effects. Personalized medicine can be used to help predict risk factors of developing adverse outcomes of medications by assessing genetic mutations (polymorphisms), found in particular genes such as those related to pain sensitivity (COMT and 5-HTT).
Although personalized medicine has much promise, it may take time before it is ready for every-day use since millions of genetic variations exist and it still is in the early stages.
Our lab is focused on finding the cause for chronic pain as well as potential treatment options for patients with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. Because many patients struggle with finding effective treatments for their chronic pain and fatigue, advances in personalized medicine might help making the right treatment choices. For more information on our current studies, please give us a call at 352-265-8901 or email us at painresearch@medicine.ufl.edu.