Effects of Mind-Body Training on Personality and Behavioral Activation and Inhibition System According to BDNF Val66Met Polymorphism

Abstract

ObjectiveIt has been known that mind-body training (MBT) can affect personality and behavior system as well as emotional well-being, but different effects of MBT on them has not been reported according to BDNF genetic polymorphism.MethodsHealthy subjects consisted of 64 subjects and the MBT group who practiced meditation regularly consisted of 72 practitioners. Participants completed neuroticism-extraversion-openness (NEO) Five-Factor Inventory and Behavioral Activation System/Behavioral Inhibition System (BAS/BIS) scales. All subjects were genotyped for the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism.ResultsIn the same genotypes of the BDNF Val/Val+Val/Met group, MBT group showed the increased Extraversion (p=0.033) and the increased Openness to Experience (p=0.004) compared to the control group. Also, in the same Met/Met carriers, MBT group exhibited the increase of Extraversion (p=0.008), the reduction of Neuroticism (p=0.002), and the increase of Openness to Experience (p=0.008) compared to the control group. In the same genotypes of the BDNF Val/Val+Val/Met group, MBT group showed the decreased BAS-Reward Responsiveness (p=0.016) and the decrease of BIS (p=0.004) compared to the control group. In the BDNF Met/Met group, MBT group increased BAS-Fun Seeking (p=0.045) and decreased BIS (p=0.013) compared to the control group.ConclusionMBT would differently contribute to NEO personality and BAS/BIS according to BDNF genetic polymorphism, compensating for different vulnerable traits based on each genotype.

Brain education-based meditation for patients with hypertension and/or type 2 diabetes

“…In the current study, mental health self-report score suggests that BEM significantly improves relaxation, focus, happiness, and confidence; decreases anger, and loneliness in patient with hypertension and/or diabetes (Table 4). This is consistent with previous findings of the beneficial effects of BEM on mental health of healthy individuals: reductions in stress, [23,24,26,31] depression, [21,23] anxiety, [21,28] neuroticism [29] ; increases in extraversion and openness to experience, [29] positive effect, [24] quality of life, [28] problem solving, emotional intelligence, and resilience. [31] The positive effects of BEM on mental health indicate its beneficial use in patients with diabetes to prevent diabetes-related complications related with cognitive decline.…”

“…[20] Findings in certain psychological improvements indicate its association with epigenetic changes. [26,29]…”

In-Depth Relationships between Emotional Intelligence and Personality Traits in Meditation Practitioners

“…8,10) Long-term meditation practitioners also reveal different personality profiles compared with those of control subjects, such as increased extraversion and openness to experience on the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five-Factor Inventory. 11) Recent neuroscience of medita-tion 2,10) imply that enduring changes in baseline or default modes of brain functioning in regions related to internalized attention may explain the trait-like transformation. 1,12) In this study, we aimed to investigate whether personality traits of meditation practitioners are associated with emotional regulatory capacity or not.…”

In-Depth Relationships between Emotional Intelligence and Personality Traits in Meditation Practitioners

“… 8 , 10) Long-term meditation practitioners also reveal different personality profiles compared with those of control subjects, such as increased extraversion and openness to experience on the Neuroticism-Extraversion-Openness Five-Factor Inventory. 11) Recent neuroscience of meditation 2 , 10) imply that enduring changes in baseline or default modes of brain functioning in regions related to internalized attention may explain the trait-like transformation. 1 , 12) …”