Download Mindfulness and Gene Therapy PSYC 2220

PSYC 2220 – HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN
Mindfulness and
Gene Therapy
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PSYC 2220 – HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN
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
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PSYC 2220 – HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN
https://www.uhs.umich.edu/files/uhs/field/image/Mindfulness.jpg
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PSYC 2220 – HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN
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.
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PSYC 2220 – HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN
Preliminary Studies - 1998
Psoriasis
One of the first medical
studies utilizing
mindfulness meditation
encouraged patients to
practice mindfulness
during UV psoriasis
treatment
http://images.medicinenet.com/images/psoriasis-neck.jpg
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Preliminary Studies - 1998
– 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.
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PSYC 2220 – HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN
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.
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Preliminary Studies – 2012
Loneliness
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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
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PSYC 2220 – HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN
Review Article - 2007
• 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.
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Review Article - 2010
• 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.
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PSYC 2220 – HUMAN FACTORS IN DESIGN
Mindfulness vs. Psychotherapy
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
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