Correlates of response to Olanzapine in a North Indian Schizophrenia sample

Olanzapine is widely used for the treatment of schizophrenia and is considered a first line medication in India. Along with other factors, the variation in response and side effects to this agent may be accounted for by genetic differences among patients. Olanzapine was administered for 6 weeks to Indian subjects with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV, n = 130), as part of an open label study. Intent-to-treat analysis was performed, and 10 polymorphic markers from seven genes (dopamine D1, D2, D3 and D4 receptors, serotonin 2A receptor and the drug-metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A2 and CYP2D6)), together with demographic and clinical variables, were analyzed as potential predictors of response. Olanzapine was efficacious, but significant weight gain was noted. Baseline weight and a 120 bp deletion polymorphism at the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene were associated with changes in symptom scores. Predictable covariates of treatment response were also noted. These results merit replicate studies.