Monoamine Oxidase A Hypomethylation in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Reversibility By Successful Psychotherapy?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Epigenetic markers such as DNA methylation of the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene have previously been shown to be altered in anxiety- and stress-related disorders and to constitute a potential mechanism of action of psychotherapeutic interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy in these disorders. The present study for the first time, to our knowledge, investigated MAOA methylation in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder applying a longitudinal psychotherapy-epigenetic approach.

Methods

The present sample comprised 14 unmedicated female patients with primary obsessive-compulsive disorder and 14 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. MAOA promoter methylation was analyzed via direct sequencing of sodium bisulfite-treated DNA extracted from whole blood

SUBMITTER: Schiele MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7251630 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature