Changes in the expression of inflammatory and epigenetic-modulatory genes after an intensive meditation retreat

Álvarez-López, María Jesús; Conklin, Quinn; Cosín-Tomás, Marta; Shields, Grant S.; King, Brandon G.; Zanesco, Anthony P.; Kaliman, Perla; Saron, Clifford D.

doi:10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100152

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 51 publications

(76 reference statements)

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“…However, the brain mechanisms and molecular activity are not yet well understood. Along the lines of some previous research on detectable epigenetic changes in brief intensive meditation interventions aimed at reducing stress [32][33][34][35][36], we intend to test whether epigenetic changes are one of the mediating mechanisms in the observable psychological changes following an intervention. We will also analyze whether changes in brain connectivity (measured with EEG in resting state) and in the diurnal cortisol rhythms occur throughout the programs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic, psychological, and EEG changes after a 1-week retreat based on mindfulness and compassion for stress reduction in healthy adults: Study protocol of a cross-over randomized controlled trial

Diez,

Martin-Subero,

Zangri

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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Introduction The main objective of the study will be to evaluate the effects of two widely used standardized mindfulness-based programs [Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT)], on epigenetic, neurobiological, psychological, and physiological variables. Methods The programs will be offered in an intensive retreat format in a general population sample of healthy volunteer adults. During a 7-day retreat, participants will receive MBSR and CCT in a crossover design where participants complete both programs in random order. After finishing their first 3-day training with one of the two programs, participants will be assigned to the second 3-day training with the second program. The effects of the MBSR and CCT programs, and their combination, will be measured by epigenetic changes (i.e., DNA methylation biomarkers), neurobiological and psychophysiological measures (i.e., EEG resting state, EKG, respiration patterns, and diurnal cortisol slopes), self-report questionnaires belonging to different psychological domains (i.e., mindfulness, compassion, well-being, distress, and general functioning), and stress tasks (i.e., an Arithmetic Stress Test and the retrieval of negative autobiographical memories). These measures will be collected from both groups on the mornings of day 1 (pre-program), day 4 (after finishing the first program and before beginning the second program), and day 7 (post-second program). We will conduct a 3-month and a 12-month follow-up using only the set of self-report measures. Discussion This study aims to shed light on the neurobiological and psychological mechanisms linked to meditation and compassion in the general population. The protocol was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05516355; August 23, 2022).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epigenetic, psychological, and EEG changes after a 1-week retreat based on mindfulness and compassion for stress reduction in healthy adults: Study protocol of a cross-over randomized controlled trial

Diez,

Martin-Subero,

Zangri

et al. 2023

PLoS ONE

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“…The purpose of the broader study was to evaluate the effects of an ecologically valid month-long residential retreat program on psychobiological outcomes. Additional details regarding the meditation training, retreat environment, and participant recruitment and demographics can be found in our prior reports ( 51 , 52 , 54 , 55 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat

Conklin,

Zanesco,

King

et al. 2024

Front. Endocrinol.

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BackgroundGiven its putative roles in mediating prosocial behavior, attachment bonds, and stress physiology, oxytocin modulation has been hypothesized to be a biological correlate of the salubrious effects of meditation practice. Here we investigated the effects of a month-long silent meditation retreat on changes in oxytocin, and the related hormone and vasopressin, in relation to psychosocial changes in attachment style, anxiety, personality measures, and feelings of social connectedness with fellow meditators.MethodsPlasma oxytocin and vasopressin and self-report questionnaires were measured in retreat participants (n = 28) at the beginning of, and 3 weeks into, a residential meditation retreat. Control participants (n = 34), who were similar in age, gender, and meditation experience, were also assessed across a 3-week interval. Linear mixed effects models were used to assess outcomes.ResultsThe retreat group showed a small but significant decrease in oxytocin compared to controls who showed no change. In the retreat group, higher openness to experience at Time 1 predicted greater reductions in oxytocin during the retreat, and lower oxytocin at Time 2 was related to stronger feelings of personal connection with fellow meditators. The changes in oxytocin were not related to attachment style or anxiety. Vasopressin decreased over time across both groups, suggesting no specific effect of retreat.ConclusionThese preliminary findings suggest that meditation training in the context of a silent residential retreat may reduce circulating levels of oxytocin. We interpret this finding from multiple theoretical perspectives, discussing key measurement limitations and proposing future study designs that may help to differentiate the effects of different meditation practices and contexts on oxytocin signaling.

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“…Neuroinflammation is associated with ND and is one of the important mechanisms in the development of ND ( Kwon and Koh, 2020 ), and both central inflammation and systemic inflammation can accelerate the progression of ND ( Perry et al, 2010 ; Shih et al, 2015 ). MT delays aging due to DNA damage by inhibiting NF-κB activity ( Tilstra et al, 2012 ), which in turn delays aging-related neurodegeneration ( Tilstra et al, 2012 ; Álvarez-López et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Possible Therapeutic Mechanisms Of Mt Against Ndmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the potential of mindfulness-based therapy in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases based on molecular mechanism studies

Feng

2023

Front. Neurosci.

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Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) have received increasing attention due to their irreversibility, but there is still no means to completely cure ND in clinical practice. Mindfulness therapy (MT), including Qigong, Tai Chi, meditation, and yoga, etc., has become an effective complementary treatment modality in solving clinical and subclinical problems due to its advantages of low side effects, less pain, and easy acceptance by patients. MT is primarily used to treat mental and emotional disorders. In recent years, evidence has shown that MT has a certain therapeutic effect on ND with a potential molecular basis. In this review, we summarize the pathogenesis and risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), relating to telomerase activity, epigenetics, stress, and the pro-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) mediated inflammatory response, and analyze the molecular mechanism basis of MT to prevent and treat ND, to provide possible explanations for the potential of MT treatments for ND.

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Changes in the expression of inflammatory and epigenetic-modulatory genes after an intensive meditation retreat

Cited by 14 publications

References 51 publications

Epigenetic, psychological, and EEG changes after a 1-week retreat based on mindfulness and compassion for stress reduction in healthy adults: Study protocol of a cross-over randomized controlled trial

Epigenetic, psychological, and EEG changes after a 1-week retreat based on mindfulness and compassion for stress reduction in healthy adults: Study protocol of a cross-over randomized controlled trial

Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long Insight meditation retreat

Exploring the potential of mindfulness-based therapy in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases based on molecular mechanism studies

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