Name
Psychotherapy-Associated DNA Methylation and Biological Pathways: A Scoping Review of Gene-Level Evidence and Systems-Level Convergence
Description

This scoping review systematically maps and synthesizes research examining DNA methylation changes occurring before and after psychotherapy across psychiatric and psychological conditions. The review evaluates whether genes identified in psychotherapy-related epigenetic studies converge on meaningful biological pathways, such as systems involved in stress regulation, immune functioning, and neuroplasticity. Both candidate-gene and methylome-wide studies will be included, with analytic strategies tailored to each study type to determine when pathway-level interpretation is empirically justified. Findings will also be examined in relation to methodological features such as tissue type, assay strategy, timing of measurement, and psychotherapy modality. By identifying convergent biological systems and methodological gaps, the review aims to clarify how sustained psychosocial interventions may influence biological processes relevant to mental health.

Speakers
Sungmin (Pearl) Park, PhD
Co-Authors
David Valencia
Daniel Lin, MD PhD MHS
Content Level
Advanced
Tags
Collaborative Care Model of Integrated Care, Primary Care Behavioral Health Model, Psychiatry
Session Type
Poster
Objective 1
Describe current evidence examining DNA methylation changes associated with psychotherapy across psychiatric and psychological conditions.
Objective 2
Explain how pathway-level analyses can help identify biological systems that may be responsive to sustained psychosocial interventions.
Objective 3
Identify key methodological limitations and research gaps that currently constrain translational interpretation of psychotherapy-related epigenetic findings.
Content Reference 1

Ensink, J. B. M., Henneman, P., Venema, A., Zantvoord, J. B., den Kelder, R. op, Mannens, M. M. A. M., & Lindauer, R. J. L. (2024). Distinct saliva DNA methylation profiles in relation to treatment outcome in youth with posttraumatic stress disorder. Translational Psychiatry, 14(1), 309. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-024-02892-1

Content Reference 2

Schiele, M. A., Gottschalk. M. G., Domschke, K. (2020). The applied implications of epigenetics in anxiety, affective and stress- related disorders - A review and synthesis on psychosocial stress, psychotherapy and prevention. Clinical Psychology Review, 77, 101830. https://doi-org.ezp.slu.edu/10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101830

Content Reference 3

Carrico, A. W., Cherenack, E. M., Flentje, A., Moskowitz, J. T., Asam, K., Ghanooni, D., Chavez, J. V., Neilands, T. B., Dilworth, S. E., Rubin, L. H., Gouse, H., Fuchs, D., Paul, R. H., & Aouizerat, B. E. (2024). A positive affect intervention alters leukocyte DNA methylation in sexual minority men with HIV who use methamphetamine. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 120, 151–158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2024.05.025