1. Mindfulness and Gene Therapy

2. Mindfulness Definition
The practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.
-Merriam Webster Dictionary
Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the moment, and non-judgmentally.
-Jon Kabat Zinn

4. Motivation for Gene Therapy
Gene delivery using viral vectors (viruses modified to carry specifically desired genes) has been attempted since 1980 and has advanced significantly since the completion of the human genome project.
In 1999 Jesse Gelsinger died during one of the first clinical trials of a viral vector due to a severe immune response to the adenovirus used to deliver a gene that may have cured his genetic condition.
Jesse’s death has set viral gene therapy back an estimated 20 years as it sparked controversy over whether viruses could ever be used safely in a therapeutic setting.
There is still no FDA approved method of gene delivery, so safer and less invasive methods are of great appeal.

5. Preliminary Studies - 1998 Psoriasis
One of the first medical studies utilizing mindfulness meditation encouraged patients to practice mindfulness during UV psoriasis treatment

6. Preliminary Studies
Skin cells respond negatively to stress because it triggers the body’s production of stress hormones such as cortisol.
This is especially true in psoriasis patients who tend to experience flare-ups more often under stress.
Psoriasis clearing rate can be used as an indirect measure of stress hormones in the body which allowed researchers to make some preliminary judgments that mindfulness meditation can help turn off the production of some of these harmful stress hormones.

7. Preliminary Studies - 2012 Loneliness
Found to increase pro-inflammatory gene expression
This gene expression is linked to higher mortality rates, especially in the elderly.
Science behind “broken heart syndrome” in which older individuals often pass away soon after their spouse.

8. Preliminary Studies – 2012 Loneliness
Study trained 40 older adults in mindfulness based stress reduction (MSBR)
Sample chosen were those who experienced high levels of loneliness and exhibited up-regulation of pro-inflammatory NF-KB white blood cells
Post treatment many patients reported feeling less lonely, and a marked decrease in NF-KB cells was recorded
The study also identified 256 genes whose regulation may be modified by loneliness

9. Review Article
Neurobiologist Mario Beauregard suggests in his review that mindfulness meditation is one of several methods of emotional self-regulation that allows patients to distance themselves from their own conditions and make objective decisions.
This technique is especially helpful for those suffering from mental health disorders.
For example, a patient with obsessive compulsive disorder can use mindfulness meditation to gain more capacity to choose a healthy response to her intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

10. Review Article
Long term mindfulness practice allows more flexible emotional regulation by using the frontal cortex to dampen the automatic activation of the amygdala (emotional center of the brain).
There is large overlap between brain activity when practicing mindfulness and that during psychotherapy or when taking placebo “drugs” that patients believe will improve their mental status.
This review suggests that there is no significant advantage or disadvantage of using mindfulness meditation over psychotherapy for emotional regulation.

11. Mindfulness vs. Psychotherapy
Often the most helpful course of treatment for those with mental disorders
Cost prohibitive for many patients as the demand for qualified psychiatrists is much higher than the supply
Mindfulness Meditation
Can be performed by patients in their own home
Can be lead by an expert or performed by the patient alone using tapes