Yoga- and meditation-based lifestyle intervention increases neuroplasticity and reduces severity of major depressive disorder: A randomized controlled trial.
Author: Tolahunase MR1, Sagar R2, Faiq M1, Dada R1
Affiliation:
1Department of Anatomy, Lab for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
2Department of Psychiatry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
Conference/Journal: Restor Neurol Neurosci.
Date published: 2018 Mar 25
Other:
Special Notes: doi: 10.3233/RNN-170810. [Epub ahead of print] , Word Count: 281
BACKGROUND: Current interventions for major depressive disorder (MDD) are suboptimal, and only one third respond to them on initial treatment. Neuroplasticity theories are the basis for several emerging treatments. Evidence on the impact of yoga, a well-known mind-body intervention, on neuroplasticity in MDD is limited.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of 12-week yoga- and meditation- based lifestyle intervention (YMLI) on depression severity and systemic biomarkers of neuroplasticity in adult MDD patients on routine drug treatment.
METHODS: A total of 58 MDD patients were randomized into yoga or control group. The severity of depression was assessed with Beck Depression Inventory II scale (BDI-II). Blood samples were collected before and after intervention for the measurement of the biomarkers that characterize neuroplasticity, including mind-body communicative and cellular health biomarkers.
RESULTS: There was a significant decrease [difference between means, (95% CI)] in BDI-II score [-5.83 (-7.27, -4.39), p < 0.001] and significant increase in BDNF (ng/ml) [5.48 (3.50, 7.46), p < 0.001] after YMLI compared to control group. YMLI significantly increased DHEAS, sirtuin 1, and telomerase activity levels, and decreased cortisol, and IL-6 levels, in addition to decreasing DNA damage and balancing oxidative stress. Multiple regression analyses were used to associate neuroplasticity biomarkers with depression severity. A 'post-intervention change in BDNF' x 'group' interaction indicated that yoga group had more BDNF in association with less BDI-II scores relative to controls. Increased sirtuin 1 and telomerase activity and decreased cortisol significantly predicted this association (all p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: These results suggest that decrease in depression severity after YMLI in MDD is associated with improved systemic biomarkers of neuroplasticity. Thus YMLI can be considered as a therapeutic intervention in MDD management.
KEYWORDS: BDNF; Depression; Major depressive disorder; Oxidative stress; Sirtuin 1; Telomere; Yoga
PMID: 29614706 DOI: 10.3233/RNN-170810
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