University of Calgary mental health study seeking participants

Chad Bousman, project lead of the University of Calgary PGx-SParK study says the research could help fine tune some of the medications young Canadians use to manage their mental health. (Supplied)

Calgary researchers are looking for participants for new mental health medication study that could find better treatments for these debilitating disorders.

University of Calgary (U of C) researchers are launching a new project, PGx-SParK in September, focusing on six- to 24-year-olds who are starting or switching medications prescribed to them for mental health.

“This project addresses a critical, currently underserved need in pediatric mental health care: the lack of personalized, evidence-informed approaches to medication prescribing,” states the U of C project page.

Professor and project lead Chad Bousman explains part of the process includes a pharmacist performing a cheek-swab, then analyzing the person’s DNA to help determine which medication and dosage is best.

“Alberta Precision Laboratories supports the PGx-SParK initiative through specialized laboratory and genetics services, including pharmacogenetic testing, and expert review and reporting of results,” said the agency in a statement emailed to CTV News.

Ideally the research team would like to see this patient care strategy adopted by provinces across Canada.

“PGx-SParK is one of several patient-oriented research studies that are integrated within community based mental health care that creates a direct pipeline from discovery to care in one setting,” said Recovery Alberta in a statement emailed to CTV News.

For this project, the referral form completed by the physician includes a list of 37 eligible mental health medications.

Based on the success of this project, Bousman suggests this framework could also be utilized in other therapeutic areas including neurology, cardiology, oncology, and gastroenterology.