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

Journal article

ObjectivesMindfulness 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.MethodA 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.ResultsAn 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.ConclusionsDNA 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.PreregistrationThis study is not preregistered.

Authors: Blanco-Luquin, I; Macías, M; Marro, I; Puebla-Guedea, M; Acha, B

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Springer
• Journal: Mindfulness
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 2516-2526
• Publication date: 2026-05-27
• DOI: 10.1007/s12671-026-02877-9
• EISSN: 1868-8535
• ISSN: 1868-8527
• Language: English
• Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Vipassana meditation; neurodegeneration prevention; blood DNA methylation; epigenetics; ADAM10; HOXA3; mindfulness meditation; apolipoprotein E; TREM2; ABCA7; non-pharmacological treatment; DNA methylation