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

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

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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 mu1 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.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere384
Number of pages10
JournalTranslational Psychiatry
Volume4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2014

Keywords

  • RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED-TRIAL
  • MESOLIMBIC DOPAMINE SYSTEM
  • MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER
  • M2 CHRM2 GENE
  • ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
  • RECEPTOR GENE
  • AUTORADIOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION
  • MOMENTARY ASSESSMENT
  • INCENTIVE SALIENCE
  • REWARD EXPERIENCE

Cite this