Factor analysis of individual difference for placebo effect and counseling therapy of medicine

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K08565
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Medical sociology
• Research Institution: Keio University
• Principal Investigator: ISAWA Minae 慶應義塾大学, 薬学部(芝共立), 研究員 (10338006)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 中島 恵美 慶應義塾大学, 薬学部(芝共立), 教授 (90115254) ; 望月 眞弓 慶應義塾大学, 薬学部(芝共立), 教授 (60292679) ; 酒谷 薫 日本大学, 工学部, 教授 (90244350)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: プラセボ効果 / カウンセリング効果 / 脳科学的アプローチ / 5HTT遺伝子多型

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Patients benefit from drug therapy not only through pharmacological mechanisms, but also through non-phar macological action (placebo effect), which may be mediated in part by the prefrontal area of the brain. We consider that the difference between responders and non-responders to placebo might be related to polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR). Nevertheless, it is worth noting that polymorphisms of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) also influence drug effects.
An explanation to patients of the anticipated pharmacological effects of drugs may serve to improve compliance and to enhance treatment benefit via subjective factors. Therefore, counseling may influence the magnitude of the placebo effect. We aimed to examine the effectiveness of counseling (advice to subjects about its expected efficacy) as a means of improving the stress-reducing efficacy of a revitalizingmedicinal product, using both subjective and objective indicators.

Free Research Field

医療薬学・個別薬物療法