Pharmacogenomics and Pharmacometabolomics of Acamprosate Treatment Outcome

AUDs are difficult to treat, and relapse rates are high, with an estimated 80% of individuals with AUDs returning to alcohol use after completing addictions treatment. Novel treatment approaches are needed to enhance long term sobriety. The investigator's research team has been investigating the use of acamprosate to prevent relapse to alcohol use. Unfortunately despite being FDA approved and endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association only 10% of patients treated for AUD are prescribed acamprosate or other antidipsotropic medications. The number is higher for patients treated in programs affiliated with Mayo Clinic Addiction Services (approximately 20%) but is way less than expected. The most common reasons behind these low numbers are the understanding that not every patient benefits from the use of specific medication and the lack of biomarkers predictive of response. The purpose of this project is to identify such biomarkers by discovery of genomic and metabolomic markers associated with response to acamprosate treatment.