Currently microarray DNA technology has made it possible to measure thousands of gene expressions simultaneously. Furthermore, chronic diseases, stress and psychiatric disorders can be understood as multi-factorial interactions between genes and environment. These interactions involve a special class of genes, described as activity or experience-dependent genes, which can be turned on or off by signals from the physical and psychosocial environment. This study explores the hypothesis that a protocol “Mind-Body Transformation Therapy” (MBT-T), could modulate experience-dependent changes in gene expression in white blood cells of 18 non-clinical participants. Peripheral blood was collected just before, immediately after the MBT-T administration and 24 hours after. Changes in gene expression were assessed through microarray analysis. 200 genes were differentially expressed. Bioinformatic analysis revealed 4 significantly enriched pathways associated with reducing cellular stress and inflammation. This study seems underline that exists a straight communication between mind and gene especially when people live remarkable experience like MBT-T. This data demonstrated high plasticity of human genome to mind-body interventions and that has many implications for clinical psychology.
THE HIGH PLASTICITY OF HUMAN GENOME AND IMMUNE SYSTEM TO MIND-BODY INTERVENTIONS: NEW CHALLENGES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CONTEXTS
Celia G.Membro del Collaboration Group
2022-01-01
Abstract
Currently microarray DNA technology has made it possible to measure thousands of gene expressions simultaneously. Furthermore, chronic diseases, stress and psychiatric disorders can be understood as multi-factorial interactions between genes and environment. These interactions involve a special class of genes, described as activity or experience-dependent genes, which can be turned on or off by signals from the physical and psychosocial environment. This study explores the hypothesis that a protocol “Mind-Body Transformation Therapy” (MBT-T), could modulate experience-dependent changes in gene expression in white blood cells of 18 non-clinical participants. Peripheral blood was collected just before, immediately after the MBT-T administration and 24 hours after. Changes in gene expression were assessed through microarray analysis. 200 genes were differentially expressed. Bioinformatic analysis revealed 4 significantly enriched pathways associated with reducing cellular stress and inflammation. This study seems underline that exists a straight communication between mind and gene especially when people live remarkable experience like MBT-T. This data demonstrated high plasticity of human genome to mind-body interventions and that has many implications for clinical psychology.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
