Psychotic Disorder: Diagnosis, COMT, DISC1 and NRG1
Hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking are assessed by psychiatric evaluation, while COMT, DISC1, NRG1 and CYP2D6 variants inform risk and drug choice.
Brandon Colby, MD
MD · MBA
Physician specializing in genetic analysis and personalized preventive medicine, and author of Outsmart Your Genes.
About Brandon
Brandon Colby is a physician-expert in the fields of genetic analysis and Personalized Preventive Medicine. He holds an MD from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business, and a degree in Genetics from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Colby is the author of the book Outsmart Your Genes and has developed numerous technologies that improve the analysis, interpretation, and actionability of genome sequencing data. He is an Affiliate Specialist of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), an Associate of the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), and a member of the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).
Education
- BA in Genetics with Honors, University of Michigan · 2000
- MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine · 2004
- MBA, Stanford University Graduate School of Business · 2007
Affiliations & Memberships
- Affiliate Specialist, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG)
- Associate, American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM)
- Member, National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)
Articles by Brandon Colby, MD are reviewed for accuracy by Sequencing's medical and scientific team. This page is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Articles by Brandon
Understanding, Diagnosing, and Using Genetic Testing for Pyruvate Kinase Hyperactivity
An overactive pyruvate kinase enzyme unsettles glycolysis and can bring muscle weakness, fatigue and neurological issues; PKLR sequencing accompanies enzyme tests.
Understanding, Diagnosing, and Using Genetic Testing for Retinopathy of Prematurity
Abnormal retinal blood vessel growth threatens infants born before 31 weeks or under 1500 grams, with staged eye exams starting 4 to 6 weeks after birth.
Rheumatic Heart Disease: Understanding, Diagnosing, and the Role of Genetic Testing
Untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever and lasting valve damage. Echocardiography, CRP and ESR tests, and genetic susceptibility markers are all set out here.
Understanding, Diagnosing, and Using Genetic Testing for Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome
Premature fusion of skull sutures alters head shape and can raise intracranial pressure; ptosis, a low hairline and syndactyly may also occur. TWIST1 testing confirms it.
Understanding, Diagnosing, and Using Genetic Testing for Scoliosis
An abnormal sideways curve of the spine may be idiopathic, congenital, neuromuscular or degenerative. The Adam's Forward Bend Test and X-rays confirm and grade it.
Understanding, Diagnosing, and Using Genetic Testing for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) Due to Adenosine Deaminase Deficiency
Without adenosine deaminase, toxic metabolites destroy lymphocytes, leaving infants with no T, B or NK cells; sequencing the ADA gene confirms the diagnosis.
Understanding, Diagnosing, and Using Genetic Testing for Sex Cord-Stromal Tumor
Arising from the supporting tissue of the ovaries or testes, these rare tumors include granulosa cell and Sertoli-Leydig types, with FOXL2 mutations seen in some.