Therapygenetics in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy: do genes have an impact on therapy-induced change in real-life positive affective experiences?

J M Bakker,E Pishva,G Kenis,R Lieverse,W Viechtbauer,M Wichers,J Van Os,C Menne-Lothmann,F Peeters,N Geschwind

doi:10.1038/tp.2014.23

Abstract

Positive affect (PA) has an important role in resilience against depression and has been shown to increase with mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of change in PA as well as develop insights that may benefit personalized medicine, the current study examined the contribution of genetic variation to individual differences in change in PA in response to MBCT. Individuals (n=126) with residual depressive symptoms were randomized to either an MBCT group or treatment as usual. PA was assessed using experience sampling methodology (ESM). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes known to be involved in reward functioning were selected. SNPs in the genes for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M2 (CHRM2), the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) and the μ1 opioid receptor (OPRM1) significantly moderated the impact of treatment condition over time on PA. Genetic variation in the genes for CHRM2 and OPRM1 specifically had an impact on the level of PA following MBCT. The current study shows that variation in response to MBCT may be contingent on genetic factors associated with the regulation of PA. These findings contribute to our understanding of the processes moderating response to treatment and prediction of treatment outcome.

Highlights

A stronger capacity to experience positive affect (PA) is associated with resilience against major depressive disorder (MDD)[1,2,3,4] as well as against general negative emotional experiences[5,6,7] and other forms of psychopathology.[8,9,10] recent studies have examined to what degree non-pharmacological interventions are able to modify the experience of PA
It can be hypothesized that heterogeneity in treatment outcome in terms of PA can be traced to genetic individual differences in biological systems regulating positive emotional experience.[19,20]
The study aimed at investigating the impact of single nucleotide length polymorphism. Note (SNP) on mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) outcome in terms of PA

Summary

Introduction

A stronger capacity to experience positive affect (PA) is associated with resilience against major depressive disorder (MDD)[1,2,3,4] as well as against general negative emotional experiences[5,6,7] and other forms of psychopathology.[8,9,10] recent studies have examined to what degree non-pharmacological interventions are able to modify the experience of PA. Therapygenetic approaches aim to investigate the impact of specific genetic variants on differences in the level of success of psychological therapies.[15,16] Studies investigating PA have yielded heritability estimates between 30 and 50%,17,18 suggesting that genetic factors underlie, at least in part, individual differences in the ability to experience PA. It can be hypothesized that heterogeneity in treatment outcome in terms of PA can be traced to genetic individual differences in biological systems regulating positive emotional experience.[19,20] Investigating the role of genetic variation in treatment outcome may elucidate the underlying mechanism of change in PA and enhance a personalized medicine approach in treatment.[21]

Methods

Results

Conclusion