The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic Review
Psychotherapy is a well-established method of treating many mental disorders. It has been proven that psychotherapy leads to structural and functional changes in the brain; however, knowledge about the molecular and cellular mechanisms of these changes is limited. Neuroplasticity and one of its medi...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-09-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/19/4424 |
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| author | Michal Piotrkowicz Marlena Janoska-Jazdzik Tytus Koweszko Agata Szulc |
| author_facet | Michal Piotrkowicz Marlena Janoska-Jazdzik Tytus Koweszko Agata Szulc |
| author_sort | Michal Piotrkowicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Psychotherapy is a well-established method of treating many mental disorders. It has been proven that psychotherapy leads to structural and functional changes in the brain; however, knowledge about the molecular and cellular mechanisms of these changes is limited. Neuroplasticity and one of its mediators, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are potential research targets in this field. To define the role of BDNF concentration in serum, or in plasma, and BDNF promoter gene methylation in saliva or leucocytes, in psychotherapy, an extensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases. The literature review was conducted based on papers published up until May 2021 that included pre and post psychotherapy measurements of either BDNF concentration levels or promoter gene methylation status. Ten studies were indicated as eligible for analysis: eight studies that investigated peripheral BDNF concentration levels, one study that investigated methylation status, and one study that included an evaluation of both subject matters. Patients underwent cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy. Patients were diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or post-traumatic stress disorder. There were only three of the nine studies that showed statistically significant increases in BDNF concentration levels after psychotherapy. The two studies that involved BDNF gene methylation status showed a decrease in methylation after dialectical behavioral therapy of borderline patients. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:58:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-89041e57099946a29d1abf54545109e1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-0383 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T06:58:04Z |
| publishDate | 2021-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Clinical Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-89041e57099946a29d1abf54545109e12023-11-22T16:19:14ZengMDPI AGJournal of Clinical Medicine2077-03832021-09-011019442410.3390/jcm10194424The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic ReviewMichal Piotrkowicz0Marlena Janoska-Jazdzik1Tytus Koweszko2Agata Szulc3Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Partyzantow 2/4, 05-802 Pruszkow, PolandDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Partyzantow 2/4, 05-802 Pruszkow, PolandDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Partyzantow 2/4, 05-802 Pruszkow, PolandDepartment of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Warsaw, Partyzantow 2/4, 05-802 Pruszkow, PolandPsychotherapy is a well-established method of treating many mental disorders. It has been proven that psychotherapy leads to structural and functional changes in the brain; however, knowledge about the molecular and cellular mechanisms of these changes is limited. Neuroplasticity and one of its mediators, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), are potential research targets in this field. To define the role of BDNF concentration in serum, or in plasma, and BDNF promoter gene methylation in saliva or leucocytes, in psychotherapy, an extensive literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases. The literature review was conducted based on papers published up until May 2021 that included pre and post psychotherapy measurements of either BDNF concentration levels or promoter gene methylation status. Ten studies were indicated as eligible for analysis: eight studies that investigated peripheral BDNF concentration levels, one study that investigated methylation status, and one study that included an evaluation of both subject matters. Patients underwent cognitive behavioral therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy. Patients were diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, major depressive disorder, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or post-traumatic stress disorder. There were only three of the nine studies that showed statistically significant increases in BDNF concentration levels after psychotherapy. The two studies that involved BDNF gene methylation status showed a decrease in methylation after dialectical behavioral therapy of borderline patients.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/19/4424psychotherapyBDNFbrain-derived neurotrophic factormethylationepigenetics |
| spellingShingle | Michal Piotrkowicz Marlena Janoska-Jazdzik Tytus Koweszko Agata Szulc The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic Review Journal of Clinical Medicine psychotherapy BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor methylation epigenetics |
| title | The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic Review |
| title_full | The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic Review |
| title_fullStr | The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic Review |
| title_short | The Influence of Psychotherapy on Peripheral Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentration Levels and Gene Methylation Status: A Systematic Review |
| title_sort | influence of psychotherapy on peripheral brain derived neurotrophic factor concentration levels and gene methylation status a systematic review |
| topic | psychotherapy BDNF brain-derived neurotrophic factor methylation epigenetics |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/10/19/4424 |
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