New Research Aims to Improve Opioid Addiction Treatment in Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - April 17, 2018 - PRLog -- A new study that looks to improve opioid addiction treatment in Kalamazoo, Michigan has started recruiting participants

The researchers hope to understand more about how genetics can influence the development of an addiction and find innovative insights that can improve medication-assisted treatment methods.

The pilot program that yielded the new study was a collaboration between the genomics research company Genemarkers, the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, and the Ferris State University College of Pharmacy.

A panel for pharmacogenomic testing and a customized screening panel for genetic analysis will be used by the researchers.

They hope to explore how genetic information may improve opioid prescribing practices and people's predisposition to substance use disorders.

The Chief Executive Officer of Genemarkers, Ana Langerveld explained that she thinks this is an initial move toward expanding precision medicine into clinical practices for opioid addiction treatment and recovery.

The Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services will be responsible for collecting samples and assisting in sample analysis with Genemarkers.

And the Ferris State University College of Pharmacy will be responsible for examining the data and outlining recommendations to enhance opioid addiction treatment.

Langerveld stated that there are ongoing conversations about following up the work with healthcare systems that support high-risk populations in Michigan and surrounding regions.

The researchers said the recruitment is expected it to be concluded by the end of the summer and that 400 participants will be included in the study.

They added that the data analysis should be wrapped up during the fall.

The study is supported by a grant of $750,000 that was allocated to the Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

The study is also backed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, which has provided $16.3 million in federal funding to the initiative.

https://www.drugaddictionnow.com/2018/04/17/kalamazoo-opi...