Examining the role of precision medicine with oral baclofen in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy.

Creator(s)

Matthew J. McLaughlin, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Susan M. Abdel-Rahman, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
J Steven Leeder, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2019

Identifier

PMCID: PMC6774387

Abstract

Purpose of review: a)Despite its widespread use, oral baclofen requires a critical review of the pharmacology to determine potential precision medicine applications to improve medication administration. Discussing the dose→exposure→response relationship of oral baclofen allows a conceptual framework in which designing clinical trials would become more successful. This paper seeks to examine some of the areas where variability in exposures can exist lead to undesired clinical responses.

Recent findings: b)Several factors are at play to implement precision medicine with oral baclofen in the pediatric patient with cerebral palsy. Variations in intestinal absorption, oral baclofen clearance, pharmacogenomic variants, and distribution of this medication into the cerebrospinal fluid cause differences in the amount of baclofen available at the GABA-B receptor site to cause a clinical response.

Summary: c)Oral baclofen has significant variability in disposition and clinical response. Research to determine the causes for this variability and controlling for these factors would allow improvement in clinical outcomes.

Journal Title

Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep

Volume

7

Issue

1

First Page

40

Last Page

45

Keywords

baclofen; cerebral palsy; pediatrics; pharmacogenetics; precision medicine; rehabilitation

Comments

Grant support

• T32 HD069038/HD/NICHD NIH HHS/United States

Recommended Citation

McLaughlin MJ, Abdel-Rahman S, Leeder JS. Examining the role of precision medicine with oral baclofen in pediatric patients with cerebral palsy. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep. 2019;7(1):40-45.