A YEAR OF PROGRESS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

 PSY-PGx, the groundbreaking initiative known for being the first large-scale, non-industry-sponsored clinical study to demonstrate the clinical benefits and practicality of using Pharmacogenetics in psychiatric care, is entering 2024 with significant momentum. The progress made in 2023 has notably marked this year as a milestone of achievement for the project. In March 2023, the PSY-PGx Team, under the guidance of Roos van Westrhenen, successfully initiated the enrollment of the first two participants in the PSY-PGx Clinical Study. By August, we witnessed the completion of the longitudinal clinical study by the inaugural patient at our Amsterdam study centre. The project made a significant appearance at major events, including the ECNP in Barcelona, held from October 7th to 10th, The World Congresses of Psychiatry 2022 at Bangkok and 2023 at Vienna, and the Brain Innovation Days in Brussels on October 26th and 27th. As PSY-PGx’s consortium partner, GAMIAN-Europe actively engaged with attendees by distributing the project's leaflets at their booth and sharing details about the project with the varied group of experts and professionals present at these events. At the same time, PSY-PGx has been present in many international conferences this year, as at regional congresses organized by the World Psychiatric Association at Malta, Kolkata, Abu Dhabi, Yerevan, and Krakow. Also special sessions were organized advocating the importance of patient engagement in mental health research. “It takes two to tango” as the panel of experts by experience explained in this year's ECNP Congress, held in Barcelona while in the World Psychiatric Association Congress in Vienna, Roos van Westrhenen stressed once again that patients should be integral part of the research. The project was also present at the Brain Innovation Days in Brussels on October 26th and 27th, where PSY-PGx’s consortium partner, GAMIAN-Europe actively engaged with attendees by distributing the project's leaflets at their booth. As we look towards 2024, PSY-PGx continues to lead the way in innovating psychiatric medication selection, offering bespoke treatments for those grappling with anxiety, depression, and psychotic disorders, meticulously aligned with their unique genetic make-up. The integration of collected data with Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to culminate in the creation of a groundbreaking algorithm, designed to personalise pharmacotherapy for psychiatric patients. This advancement promises to significantly diminish side effects while amplifying the efficacy of treatments. Consequently, PSY-PGx is poised to revolutionise the current model of medication application within psychiatry. Such progress paves the way for the expansion of the Pharmacogenetics clinic of PsyQ on a global scale, heralding a new era of enhanced care for psychiatric patients worldwide. The year 2024 holds the promise of transformative strides in mental health treatment, embodying hope and improved wellbeing for countless individuals. We eagerly encourage you to be part of our continuing journey. Keep connected and informed by following our updates on social media platforms like X and exploring the project’s website (www.PSY-PGx.org).