Yoga, Meditation and Mind-Body Health: Increased BDNF, Cortisol Awakening Response, and Altered Inflammatory Marker Expression after a 3-Month Yoga and Meditation Retreat
Authors: B Rael Cahn
Matthew S Goodman
Paul J Mills
Christine T Peterson
Raj Maturi
Journal: Frontiers in Human Neuroscience (2017)
Discipline: NEUROSCIENCE & BEHAVIOR
Keywords: BDNF; cortisol; inflammation; inflammatory markers; meditation
Affiliations: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, United States., Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA, United States., California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International UniversitySan Diego, CA, United States., Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla, CA, United States., Department of Ayurveda and Yoga Research, Chopra FoundationCarlsbad, CA, United States., Midwest Eye InstituteIndianapolis, IN, United States., Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolis, IN, United States.

Abstract:  Thirty-eight individuals (mean age: 34.8 years old) participating in a 3-month yoga and meditation retreat were assessed before and after the intervention for psychometric measures, brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), circadian salivary cortisol levels, and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Participation in the retreat was found to be associated with decreases in self-reported anxiety and depression as well as increases in mindfulness. As hypothesized, increases in the plasma levels of BDNF and increases in the magnitude of the cortisol awakening response (CAR) were also observed. The normalized change in BDNF levels was inversely correlated with BSI-18 anxiety scores at both the pre-retreat (r = 0.40, p &lt; 0.05) and post-retreat (r = 0.52, p &lt; 0.005) such that those with greater anxiety scores tended to exhibit smaller pre- to post-retreat increases in plasma BDNF levels. In line with a hypothesized decrease in inflammatory processes resulting from the yoga and meditation practices, we found that the plasma level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-10 was increased and the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-12 was reduced after the retreat. Contrary to our initial hypotheses, plasma levels of other pro-inflammatory cytokines, including Interferon Gamma (IFN-γ), Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) were increased after the retreat. Given evidence from previous studies of the positive effects of meditative practices on mental fitness, autonomic homeostasis and inflammatory status, we hypothesize that these findings are related to the meditative practices throughout the retreat; however, some of the observed changes may also be related to other aspects of the retreat such as physical exercise-related components of the yoga practice and diet. We hypothesize that the patterns of change observed here reflect mind-body integration and well-being. The increased BDNF levels observed is a potential mediator between meditative practices and brain health, the increased CAR is likely a reflection of increased dynamic physiological arousal, and the relationship of the dual enhancement of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine changes to healthy immunologic functioning is discussed. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
  Fig. 7. Comparison of cell cycle and cell apoptosis in each group after transfection detected by flow cytometry. ... (C) cell apoptosis flow chart . ![file] The color boxes around panels are to draw attention to similar panels in Fig 10A of (Li et al (2017)] ; ![] in Fig 7C of [Pan et al (2018)] ; ![] ...and in several other papers linked in those threads. Clearly there are differences between corresponding panels, but there are also more cells in the same locations (notably in the upper-left and lower-right quadrants) than chance alone could explain. , 
 Figs 8C, 3B. ![file] They seem to come from a confined gamut of Western Blot protein blobs that appears across a number of papers, as shown in this montage: ![] The bubble under one of the blobs in the loading control of 3B is particularly distinctive. , 
 Fig 2. ![] Could the authors comment on the earlier appearance of higher-resolution details within Fig 1 of [Li et al (2017)] ? ![] ,