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Objectives <p>Mindfulness meditation may actively shape the biological response to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by modifying molecular mechanisms through epigenetic regulation. Given that environmental factors influence the epigenetic landscape of neurodegeneration, this proof-of-concept study aimed to evaluate whether an intensive mindfulness practice induces dynamic methylation changes in a targeted panel of AD-associated genes in blood samples.</p> Method <p>A group of 17 long-term mindfulness meditators (MMs) and 17 sex- and age-matched controls were recruited. The experienced MMs participated in a 1-month Vipassana meditation retreat. Blood DNA methylation levels of differentially methylated genes (<i>ABCA7</i>, <i>ADAM10</i>, <i>APOE</i>, <i>HOXA3</i>, <i>NXN</i>, <i>TREM2</i>, and <i>TREML2</i>), previously validated in a predictive AD-model, were analyzed by bisulfite pyrosequencing.</p> Results <p>An increase in DNA methylation was observed for <i>ADAM10</i>, <i>APOE</i>, <i>HOXA3</i>, and <i>TREM2</i> in MMs compared to the control group. Furthermore, significant differences were found for <i>ABCA7</i>, <i>ADAM10</i>, <i>APOE</i>, and <i>HOXA3</i> in MMs after retreat.</p> Conclusions <p>DNA methylation changes identified for <i>ADAM10</i> and <i>HOXA3</i> in MMs are in the opposite direction to those occurring in AD and may constitute a protective epigenetic alteration. Mindfulness practice could counteract DNA methylation of key AD genes, serving as a possible preventive strategy or non-pharmacological intervention for AD patients.</p> Preregistration <p>This study is not preregistered.</p>

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Dynamic Methylation Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Genes During Mindfulness Practice – a Proof-of-Concept Study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月27日

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  • Idoia Blanco-Luquin,
  • Mónica Macías,
  • Ibai Marro,
  • Marta Puebla-Guedea,
  • Blanca Acha,
  • Johana Álvarez-Jiménez,
  • Sara Razquin-Sola,
  • Miren Roldan,
  • Eneko Cabezon-Arteta,
  • Lidia González-Villena,
  • Jesús Montero-Marín,
  • Javier García-Campayo,
  • Maite Mendioroz

摘要

Objectives

Mindfulness meditation may actively shape the biological response to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by modifying molecular mechanisms through epigenetic regulation. Given that environmental factors influence the epigenetic landscape of neurodegeneration, this proof-of-concept study aimed to evaluate whether an intensive mindfulness practice induces dynamic methylation changes in a targeted panel of AD-associated genes in blood samples.

Method

A group of 17 long-term mindfulness meditators (MMs) and 17 sex- and age-matched controls were recruited. The experienced MMs participated in a 1-month Vipassana meditation retreat. Blood DNA methylation levels of differentially methylated genes (ABCA7, ADAM10, APOE, HOXA3, NXN, TREM2, and TREML2), previously validated in a predictive AD-model, were analyzed by bisulfite pyrosequencing.

Results

An increase in DNA methylation was observed for ADAM10, APOE, HOXA3, and TREM2 in MMs compared to the control group. Furthermore, significant differences were found for ABCA7, ADAM10, APOE, and HOXA3 in MMs after retreat.

Conclusions

DNA methylation changes identified for ADAM10 and HOXA3 in MMs are in the opposite direction to those occurring in AD and may constitute a protective epigenetic alteration. Mindfulness practice could counteract DNA methylation of key AD genes, serving as a possible preventive strategy or non-pharmacological intervention for AD patients.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.