A new genetic test analyses 51 genes to help clinicians prescribe the right ADHD medication from the start
A saliva swab could help determine which ADHD medication works before a patient ever takes a dose.
Springboard Clinic, an Ontario-based ADHD assessment and treatment provider, has partnered with Biron Health Group to give patients access to pharmacogenomic DNA testing.
The tool analyses 51 genes and covers more than 100 psychiatric medications to predict how an individual's body will process them.
Michel Cameron, assistant director and medical science liaison at Biron Health Group, said genetics affect both how the body metabolises a drug and whether it is likely to work.
Cameron said some patients are "genetically wired to clear a drug so fast it never reaches an effective level," while others carry variants that make certain medications "less effective regardless of dose."
The test, he said, "identifies many of these factors before treatment starts, so clinicians can make a more informed first decision."
For employees managing ADHD alongside depression, anxiety, or other conditions, the test can also explain why previous medications behaved unexpectedly, informing both current and future prescribing decisions.
Chris Richards-Bentley, director of medical education and adult services at Springboard Clinic, said the tool is particularly relevant for patients who have already gone through unsuccessful treatment rounds.
Richards-Bentley said patients with prior treatment failures, complex conditions, or fear of another bad experience face higher stakes when starting medication.
"Having genetic data from the start is not just helpful," she said. "It can genuinely change the outcome."
Springboard integrates PGx testing into a broader care model that includes psychological and medical assessment, coaching, therapy, and skills-based support.
