1
|
Perez-Diaz O, Góngora D, González-Mora JL, Rubia K, Barrós-Loscertales A, Hernández SE. Enhanced amygdala-anterior cingulate white matter structural connectivity in Sahaja Yoga Meditators. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301283. [PMID: 38547155 PMCID: PMC10977753 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the white matter connections between anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula and amygdala as key regions of the frontal-limbic network that have been related to meditation. DESIGN Twenty experienced practitioners of Sahaja Yoga Meditation and twenty nonmeditators matched on age, gender and education level, were scanned using Diffusion Weighted Imaging, using a 3T scanner, and their white matter connectivity was compared using diffusion tensor imaging analyses. RESULTS There were five white matter fiber paths in which meditators showed a larger number of tracts, two of them connecting the same area in both hemispheres: the left and right amygdalae and the left and right anterior insula; and the other three connecting left anterior cingulate with the right anterior insula, the right amygdala and the left amygdala. On the other hand, non-meditators showed larger number of tracts in two paths connecting the left anterior insula with the left amygdala, and the left anterior insula with the left anterior cingulate. CONCLUSIONS The study shows that long-term practice of Sahaja Yoga Meditation is associated with larger white matter tracts strengthening interhemispheric connections between limbic regions and connections between cingulo-amygdalar and cingulo-insular brain regions related to top-down attentional and emotional processes as well as between top-down control functions that could potentially be related to the witness state perceived through the state of mental silence promoted with this meditation. On the other hand, reduced connectivity strength in left anterior insula in the meditation group could be associated to reduced emotional processing affecting top-down processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Perez-Diaz
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Daylín Góngora
- Department of Microeconomics and Public Economics, Maastricht University School of Business and Economics & Maastricht University - Center of Neuroeconomics, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - José L González-Mora
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Katya Rubia
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alfonso Barrós-Loscertales
- Departamento de Psicología Básica, Clínica y Psicobiología, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Castellón, Spain
| | - Sergio Elías Hernández
- Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia, Universidad de La Laguna, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Siew S, Yu J. Mindfulness-based randomized controlled trials led to brain structural changes: an anatomical likelihood meta-analysis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18469. [PMID: 37891243 PMCID: PMC10611804 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45765-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness has become increasingly popular and the practice presents in many different forms. Research has been growing extensively with benefits shown across various outcomes. However, there is a lack of consensus over the efficacy of randomized controlled mindfulness interventions, both traditional and mind-body formats. This study aimed to investigate the structural brain changes in mindfulness-based interventions through a meta-analysis. Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycINFO were searched up to April 2023. 11 studies (n = 581) assessing whole-brain voxel-based grey matter or cortical thickness changes after a mindfulness RCT were included. Anatomical likelihood estimation was used to carry out voxel-based meta-analysis with leave-one-out sensitivity analysis and behavioural analysis as follow-ups. One significant cluster (p < 0.001, Z = 4.76, cluster size = 632 mm3) emerged in the right insula and precentral gyrus region (MNI = 48, 10, 4) for structural volume increases in intervention group compared to controls. Behavioural analysis revealed that the cluster was associated with mental processes of attention and somesthesis (pain). Mindfulness interventions have the ability to affect neural plasticity in areas associated with better pain modulation and increased sustained attention. This further cements the long-term benefits and neuropsychological basis of mindfulness-based interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Savannah Siew
- Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Junhong Yu
- Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wahbeh H, Cannard C, Kriegsman M, Delorme A. Evaluating brain spectral and connectivity differences between silent mind-wandering and trance states. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2023; 277:29-61. [PMID: 37301570 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Trance is an altered state of consciousness characterized by alterations in cognition. In general, trance states induce mental silence (i.e., cognitive thought reduction), and mental silence can induce trance states. Conversely, mind-wandering is the mind's propensity to stray its attention away from the task at hand and toward content irrelevant to the current moment, and its main component is inner speech. Building on the previous literature on mental silence and trance states and incorporating inverse source reconstruction advances, the study's objectives were to evaluate differences between trance and mind-wandering states using: (1) electroencephalography (EEG) power spectra at the electrode level, (2) power spectra at the area level (source reconstructed signal), and (3) EEG functional connectivity between these areas (i.e., how they interact). The relationship between subjective trance depths ratings and whole-brain connectivity during trance was also evaluated. Spectral analyses revealed increased delta and theta power in the frontal region and increased gamma in the centro-parietal region during mind-wandering, whereas trance showed increased beta and gamma power in the frontal region. Power spectra at the area level and pairwise comparisons of the connectivity between these areas demonstrated no significant difference between the two states. However, subjective trance depth ratings were inversely correlated with whole-brain connectivity in all frequency bands (i.e., deeper trance is associated with less large-scale connectivity). Trance allows one to enter mentally silent states and explore their neurophenomenological processes. Limitations and future directions are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helané Wahbeh
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, United States.
| | - Cedric Cannard
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, United States
| | - Michael Kriegsman
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, United States
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- Research Department, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Petaluma, CA, United States; University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cooper AC, Ventura B, Northoff G. Beyond the veil of duality-topographic reorganization model of meditation. Neurosci Conscious 2022; 2022:niac013. [PMID: 36237370 PMCID: PMC9552929 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation can exert a profound impact on our mental life, with proficient practitioners often reporting an experience free of boundaries between a separate self and the environment, suggesting an explicit experience of "nondual awareness." What are the neural correlates of such experiences and how do they relate to the idea of nondual awareness itself? In order to unravel the effects that meditation has on the brain's spatial topography, we review functional magnetic resonance imaging brain findings from studies specific to an array of meditation types and meditator experience levels. We also review findings from studies that directly probe the interaction between meditation and the experience of the self. The main results are (i) decreased posterior default mode network (DMN) activity, (ii) increased central executive network (CEN) activity, (iii) decreased connectivity within posterior DMN as well as between posterior and anterior DMN, (iv) increased connectivity within the anterior DMN and CEN, and (v) significantly impacted connectivity between the DMN and CEN (likely a nonlinear phenomenon). Together, these suggest a profound organizational shift of the brain's spatial topography in advanced meditators-we therefore propose a topographic reorganization model of meditation (TRoM). One core component of the TRoM is that the topographic reorganization of DMN and CEN is related to a decrease in the mental-self-processing along with a synchronization with the more nondual layers of self-processing, notably interoceptive and exteroceptive-self-processing. This reorganization of the functionality of both brain and self-processing can result in the explicit experience of nondual awareness. In conclusion, this review provides insight into the profound neural effects of advanced meditation and proposes a result-driven unifying model (TRoM) aimed at identifying the inextricably tied objective (neural) and subjective (experiential) effects of meditation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Austin Clinton Cooper
- Integrated Program of Neuroscience, Room 302, Irving Ludmer Building, 1033 Pine Avenue W., McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Bianca Ventura
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rubia K. Neurotherapeutics for ADHD: Do they work? Psych J 2022; 11:419-427. [PMID: 35359026 PMCID: PMC10083951 DOI: 10.1002/pchj.544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This paper reflects on the use of neurotherapeutics for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is the most imaged child psychiatric disorder, with over 3 decades of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) research. Findings are relatively homogeneous compared to other psychiatric conditions with consistent evidence for differences, albeit small, relative to healthy controls in the structure and function of several frontal, parietotemporal, and striatal brain regions as well as their inter-regional structural and functional connections. The functional deficits have been targeted with modern neurotherapeutics, including neurofeedback (using most commonly electroencephalography and more recently functional near-infrared spectroscopy and functional MRI) and non-invasive brain stimulation (such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, or external trigeminal nerve stimulation). Except for electroencephalography-neurofeedback, the majority of neurotherapeutic studies have been relatively small, with very heterogenous research protocols and outcome measures and-likely as a consequence-inconsistent findings. Furthermore, most brain stimulation studies have tested effects on cognitive functions rather than clinical symptoms. So far, findings have not been very promising. Future studies require systematic testing of optimal protocols in large samples or homogenous subgroups to understand response prediction that could lead to individualized treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katya Rubia
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry/PO46, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeurosciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Differences in Emotional Conflict Processing between High and Low Mindfulness Adolescents: An ERP Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19052891. [PMID: 35270583 PMCID: PMC8910158 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19052891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mindfulness is a state of concentration that allows individuals to focus on their feelings and thoughts without judgment. However, little is known regarding the underlying neural processes of mindfulness. This study used ERPs to investigate the differences between high and low trait mindfulness adolescents during emotional conflict processing. Nineteen low mindfulness adolescents (LMSs) and sixteen high mindfulness adolescent (HMSs) individuals were asked to complete a face Stroop task. The task superimposed emotional words on emotional faces to generate congruent (CC) and incongruent (IC) conditions. Continuous electroencephalogram data were recorded during the face Stroop task. Results revealed that for N450, the interaction of congruency and group was significant. The incongruent trials evoked a larger N450 than the congruent trials in the HMSs, whereas there were no significant differences between the two conditions in the LMSs. There were significant main effects of congruency for SP (slow potential). The incongruent trials evoked a larger SP than the congruent trials. The results suggest that mindfulness may only affect early conflict monitoring rather than later conflict resolution. The findings expand the neural basis of the effect of mindfulness on inhibitory control.
Collapse
|
7
|
Krause-Sorio B, Siddarth P, Kilpatrick L, Milillo MM, Aguilar-Faustino Y, Ercoli L, Narr KL, Khalsa DS, Lavretsky H. Yoga Prevents Gray Matter Atrophy in Women at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 87:569-581. [PMID: 35275541 PMCID: PMC9198760 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female sex, subjective cognitive decline (SCD), and cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) are known risk factors for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously demonstrated that yoga improved depression, resilience, memory and executive functions, increased hippocampal choline concentrations, and modulated brain connectivity in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE In this study (NCT03503669), we investigated brain gray matter volume (GMV) changes in older women with SCD and CVRFs following three months of yoga compared to memory enhancement training (MET). METHODS Eleven women (mean age = 61.45, SD = 6.58) with CVRF and SCD completed twelve weeks of Kundalini Yoga and Kirtan Kriya (KY + KK) while eleven women (mean age = 64.55, SD = 6.41) underwent MET. Anxiety, resilience, stress, and depression were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks, as were T1-weighted MRI scans (Siemens 3T Prisma scanner). We used Freesurfer 6.0 and tested group differences in GMV change, applying Monte-Carlo simulations with alpha = 0.05. Region-of-interest analysis was performed for hippocampus and amygdala. RESULTS Compared to KY + KK, MET showed reductions in GMV in left prefrontal, pre- and post-central, supramarginal, superior temporal and pericalcarine cortices, right paracentral, postcentral, superior and inferior parietal cortices, the banks of the superior temporal sulcus, and the pars opercularis. Right hippocampal volume increased after yoga but did not survive corrections. CONCLUSION Yoga training may offer neuroprotective effects compared to MET in preventing neurodegenerative changes and cognitive decline, even over short time intervals. Future analyses will address changes in functional connectivity in both groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beatrix Krause-Sorio
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Prabha Siddarth
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Kilpatrick
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michaela M. Milillo
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yesenia Aguilar-Faustino
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Linda Ercoli
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Katherine L. Narr
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Helen Lavretsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Behavior, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Vishnubhotla RV, Radhakrishnan R, Kveraga K, Deardorff R, Ram C, Pawale D, Wu YC, Renschler J, Subramaniam B, Sadhasivam S. Advanced Meditation Alters Resting-State Brain Network Connectivity Correlating With Improved Mindfulness. Front Psychol 2021; 12:745344. [PMID: 34867626 PMCID: PMC8636330 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.745344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an intensive 8-day Samyama meditation program on the brain functional connectivity using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI). Methods: Thirteen Samyama program participants (meditators) and 4 controls underwent fMRI brain scans before and after the 8-day residential meditation program. Subjects underwent fMRI with a blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast at rest and during focused breathing. Changes in network connectivity before and after Samyama program were evaluated. In addition, validated psychological metrics were correlated with changes in functional connectivity. Results: Meditators showed significantly increased network connectivity between the salience network (SN) and default mode network (DMN) after the Samyama program (p < 0.01). Increased connectivity within the SN correlated with an improvement in self-reported mindfulness scores (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Samyama, an intensive silent meditation program, favorably increased the resting-state functional connectivity between the salience and default mode networks. During focused breath watching, meditators had lower intra-network connectivity in specific networks. Furthermore, increased intra-network connectivity correlated with improved self-reported mindfulness after Samyama. Clinical Trials Registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov], Identifier: [NCT04366544]. Registered on 4/17/2020.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramana V Vishnubhotla
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Rupa Radhakrishnan
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Kestas Kveraga
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rachael Deardorff
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Chithra Ram
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Dhanashri Pawale
- Department of Anesthesia, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Yu-Chien Wu
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Janelle Renschler
- Department of Anesthesia, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Balachundhar Subramaniam
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Sadhguru Center for a Conscious Planet, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Senthilkumar Sadhasivam
- Department of Anesthesia, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jiang D, Liu Z, Sun G. The Effect of Yoga Meditation Practice on Young Adults' Inhibitory Control: An fNIRS Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:725233. [PMID: 34588968 PMCID: PMC8475714 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.725233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: The present study aimed to test the effect of yoga meditation (YoMed) practice on inhibitory control of young adults. Methods: A total of 50 participants (23 male, 21–28 years old) from a university in Jinan, Shandong Province were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to a YoMed group or a Control group. Participants’ basic information, physical activity, and inhibitory control were measured. A multi-channel continuous-wave near-infrared spectrometer was used to monitor the brain’s hemodynamic responses. Results: After the intervention, we found significant differences in Flanker tasks between the YoMed group and Control group. The accuracy in the YoMed group was higher than those in the Control group (p < 0.05). Analysis of fNIRS data showed that oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) levels in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) increased in the YoMed group during the Flanker tasks after the YoMed intervention. Conclusion: YoMed has a temporarily promoting effect on the brain activation of young adults. It is an effective and appropriate exercise to improve the inhibitory control of young adults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongdong Jiang
- School of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zongyu Liu
- School of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guoxiao Sun
- School of Physical Education, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hüttenrauch M, Lopez-Noguerola JS, Castro-Obregón S. Connecting Mind-Body Therapy-Mediated Effects to Pathological Features of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:S65-S90. [PMID: 33044183 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder that represents a major and increasing global health challenge. In most cases, the first clinical symptoms of AD are preceded by neuropathological changes in the brain that develop years to decades before their onset. Therefore, research in the last years has focused on this preclinical stage of AD trying to discover intervention strategies that might, if implemented effectively, delay or prevent disease progression. Among those strategies, mind-body therapies such as yoga and meditation have gained increasing interest as complementary alternative interventions. Several studies have reported a positive impact of yoga and meditation on brain health in both healthy older adults and dementia patients. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms contributing to these effects are currently not known in detail. More specifically, it is not known whether yogic interventions, directly or indirectly, can modulate risk factors or pathological mechanisms involved in the development of dementia. In this article, we first review the literature on the effects of yogic practices on outcomes such as cognitive functioning and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Then, we analyze how yogic interventions affect different risk factors as well as aspects of AD pathophysiology based on observations of studies in healthy individuals or subjects with other conditions than dementia. Finally, we integrate this evidence and propose possible mechanisms that might explain the positive effects of yogic interventions in cognitively impaired individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Hüttenrauch
- División de Neurosciencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México
| | - José Sócrates Lopez-Noguerola
- Área Académica de Gerontología, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto, México
| | - Susana Castro-Obregón
- División de Neurosciencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Rubia K, Westwood S, Aggensteiner PM, Brandeis D. Neurotherapeutics for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Review. Cells 2021; 10:2156. [PMID: 34440925 PMCID: PMC8394071 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the evidence for neurotherapeutics for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). EEG-neurofeedback has been tested for about 45 years, with the latest meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials (RCT) showing small/medium effects compared to non-active controls only. Three small studies piloted neurofeedback of frontal activations in ADHD using functional magnetic resonance imaging or near-infrared spectroscopy, finding no superior effects over control conditions. Brain stimulation has been applied to ADHD using mostly repetitive transcranial magnetic and direct current stimulation (rTMS/tDCS). rTMS has shown mostly negative findings on improving cognition or symptoms. Meta-analyses of tDCS studies targeting mostly the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex show small effects on cognitive improvements with only two out of three studies showing clinical improvements. Trigeminal nerve stimulation has been shown to improve ADHD symptoms with medium effect in one RCT. Modern neurotherapeutics are attractive due to their relative safety and potential neuroplastic effects. However, they need to be thoroughly tested for clinical and cognitive efficacy across settings and beyond core symptoms and for their potential for individualised treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katya Rubia
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neurosciences, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK;
- Department of Social Genetics and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neurosciences, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Transcampus, Dresden University, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Samuel Westwood
- Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neurosciences, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK;
- Department of Social Genetics and Developmental Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neurosciences, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK
- Department of Psychology, Wolverhampton University, Wolverhampton WV1 1LY, UK
| | - Pascal-M. Aggensteiner
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, 68159 Mannheim, Germany; (P.-M.A.); (D.B.)
| | - Daniel Brandeis
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health, Heidelberg University, 68159 Mannheim, Germany; (P.-M.A.); (D.B.)
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hospital of Psychiatry, Psychiatric Hospital University, University of Zürich, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zürich, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Galijašević M, Steiger R, Regodić M, Waibel M, Sommer PJD, Grams AE, Singewald N, Gizewski ER. Brain Energy Metabolism in Two States of Mind Measured by Phosphorous Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:686433. [PMID: 34262442 PMCID: PMC8273761 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.686433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Various functional neuroimaging studies help to better understand the changes in brain activity during meditation. The purpose of this study was to investigate how brain energy metabolism changes during focused attention meditation (FAM) state, measured by phosphorous magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS). Methods:31P-MRS imaging was carried out in 27 participants after 7 weeks of FAM training. Metabolite ratios and the absolute values of metabolites were assessed after meditation training in two MRI measurements, by comparing effects in a FAM state with those in a distinct focused attention awake state during a backwards counting task. Results: The results showed decreased phosphocreatine/ATP (PCr/ATP), PCr/ inorganic phosphate (Pi), and intracellular pH values in the entire brain, but especially in basal ganglia, frontal lobes, and occipital lobes, and increased Pi/ATP ratio, cerebral Mg, and Pi absolute values were found in the same areas during FAM compared to the control focused attention awake state. Conclusions: Changes in the temporal areas and basal ganglia may be interpreted as a higher energetic state induced by meditation, whereas the frontal and occipital areas showed changes that may be related to a down-regulation in ATP turnover, energy state, and oxidative capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Malik Galijašević
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,VASCAge-Research Centre on Vascular Ageing and Stroke, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruth Steiger
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Milovan Regodić
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Patrick Julian David Sommer
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Astrid Ellen Grams
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and CMBI, Leopold Franzens University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elke Ruth Gizewski
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Barrós-Loscertales A, Hernández SE, Xiao Y, González-Mora JL, Rubia K. Resting State Functional Connectivity Associated With Sahaja Yoga Meditation. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:614882. [PMID: 33796013 PMCID: PMC8007769 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.614882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroscience research has shown that meditation practices have effects on brain structure and function. However, few studies have combined information on the effects on structure and function in the same sample. Long-term daily meditation practice produces repeated activity of specific brain networks over years of practice, which may induce lasting structural and functional connectivity (FC) changes within relevant circuits. The aim of our study was therefore to identify differences in FC during the resting state between 23 Sahaja Yoga Meditation experts and 23 healthy participants without meditation experience. Seed-based FC analysis was performed departing from voxels that had shown structural differences between these same participants. The contrast of connectivity maps yielded that meditators showed increased FC between the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex but reduced FC between the left insula and the bilateral mid-cingulate as well as between the right angular gyrus and the bilateral precuneus/cuneus cortices. It thus appears that long-term meditation practice increases direct FC between ventral and dorsal frontal regions within brain networks related to attention and cognitive control and decreases FC between regions of these networks and areas of the default mode network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yaqiong Xiao
- Autism Center of Excellence, Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - José Luis González-Mora
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Dpto. de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Sección Fisiología, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Katya Rubia
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yu J, Rawtaer I, Feng L, Fam J, Kumar AP, Kee-Mun Cheah I, Honer WG, Su W, Lee YK, Tan EC, Kua EH, Mahendran R. Mindfulness intervention for mild cognitive impairment led to attention-related improvements and neuroplastic changes: Results from a 9-month randomized control trial. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 135:203-211. [PMID: 33497874 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions can enhance cognitive abilities among older adults, thereby effectively delaying cognitive decline. These cognitive enhancements are theorized to accompany neuroplastic changes in the brain. However, this mindfulness-associated neuroplasticity has yet to be documented adequately. A randomized controlled trial was carried out among participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to examine the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on various cognitive outcomes and cortical thickness (CT) in the context of age-related cognitive impairment. Participants were assigned to a mindfulness awareness program (MAP)(n = 27) and an active control condition - health education program (n = 27). In both, they attended weekly sessions for three months and subsequently, monthly sessions for six months. Cognitive assessments and structural scans were carried out across three time-points. Whole brain analyses on CT were carried out and were supplemented with region of interest-based analyses. ROI values and cognitive outcomes were analyzed with mixed MANOVAs and followed up with univariate ANOVAs. Nine-month MAP-associated gains in working memory span and divided attention, along with an increased CT in the right frontal pole and decreased CT in the left anterior cingulate were observed. Three-month MAP-associated CT increase was observed in the left inferior temporal gyrus but did not sustain thereafter. MAP led to significant cognitive gains and various CT changes. Most of these neurobehavioral changes, may require sustained effort across nine months, albeit at a reduced intensity. MAP can remediate certain cognitive impairments and engender neuroplastic effects even among those with MCI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junhong Yu
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Mind Science Centre, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Iris Rawtaer
- Department of Psychiatry, Sengkang General Hospital, Singhealth Duke-Nus Academic Medical Centre, Singapore
| | - Lei Feng
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Mind Science Centre, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Johnson Fam
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Mind Science Centre, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alan Prem Kumar
- Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, National University of Singapore, And Medical Science Cluster, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Irwin Kee-Mun Cheah
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - William G Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Wayne Su
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Yuan Kun Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Hospital, Singapore
| | - Ene Choo Tan
- KK Research Laboratory, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore; SingHealth Duke-NUS Paediatrics Academic Clinical Program, Singapore
| | - Ee Heok Kua
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Mind Science Centre, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Rathi Mahendran
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Mind Science Centre, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Academic Development Department, Duke-NUS Medical School, 8 College Road, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Gizewski ER, Steiger R, Waibel M, Pereverzyev S, Sommer PJD, Siedentopf C, Grams AE, Lenhart L, Singewald N. Short-term meditation training influences brain energy metabolism: A pilot study on 31 P MR spectroscopy. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e01914. [PMID: 33300668 PMCID: PMC7821578 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Meditation is increasingly attracting interest among neuroimaging researchers for its relevance as a cognitive enhancement technique and several cross-sectional studies have indicated cerebral changes. This longitudinal study applied a distinct and standardized meditative technique with a group of volunteers in a short-term training program to analyze brain metabolic changes. METHODS The effect of 7 weeks of meditation exercises (focused attention meditation, FAM) was assessed on 27 healthy volunteers. Changes in cerebral energy metabolism were investigated using 31 P-MR spectroscopy. Metabolite ratios were compared before (T1) and after training (T2). Additional questionnaire assessments were included. RESULTS The participants performed FAM daily. Depression and anxiety scores revealed a lower level of state anxiety at T2 compared to T1. From T1 to T2, energy metabolism ratios showed the following differences: PCr/ATP increased right occipitally; Pi/ATP decreased bilaterally in the basal ganglia and temporal lobe on the right; PCr/Pi increased in occipital lobe bilaterally, in the basal ganglia and in the temporal lobe on the right side. The pH decreased temporal on the left side and frontal in the right side. The observed changes in the temporal areas and basal ganglia may be interpreted as a higher energetic state, whereas the frontal and occipital areas showed changes that may be related to a down-regulation in ATP turnover, energy state, and oxidative capacity. CONCLUSIONS The results of the current study indicate for the first time in a longitudinal study that even short-term training in FAM may have considerable effects on brain energy state with different local energy management in specific brain regions. Especially higher energetic state in basal ganglia may represent altered function in their central role in complex cerebral distributed networks including frontal and temporal areas. Further studies including different forms of relaxation techniques should be performed for more specific and reliable insights.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elke R Gizewski
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ruth Steiger
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Sergiy Pereverzyev
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Patrick J D Sommer
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Siedentopf
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Astrid E Grams
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lukas Lenhart
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.,Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Center for Molecular Biosciences Innsbruck (CMBI), Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Leopold Franzens University, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
van Aalst J, Jennen L, Demyttenaere K, Sunaert S, Koole M, Ceccarini J, Van Laere K. Twelve-Week Yoga vs. Aerobic Cycling Initiation in Sedentary Healthy Subjects: A Behavioral and Multiparametric Interventional PET/MR Study. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:739356. [PMID: 34733191 PMCID: PMC8558251 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.739356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Interventional yoga studies with an active control group remain scarce and are important to clarify the underlying neurobiology. We conducted an interventional study in healthy controls using simultaneous positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance (PET/MR) imaging and psychometric scales. Thirty healthy, female volunteers (28.4 ± 8.4 years) participated and were randomly assigned to a 12-week yoga or indoor cycling intervention. Before and after the intervention, [18F]FDG and [11C]UCB-J PET was performed on a simultaneous GE Signa PET/MR with volumetric imaging. Psychometric scales were evaluated on affect, mindfulness, stress, worrying, self-compassion, and interoceptive awareness. Yoga subjects scored higher on interoceptive awareness compared to baseline (p < 0.001). Cognitive (P = 0.009) and overall cognitive functioning (P = 0.01) improved after the yoga intervention compared to the cycling group. We did not observe significant differences in glucose metabolism, synaptic density, or gray matter (GM) volume. The indoor cycling group did not show changes in psychometric variables, but significant increases in relative glucose metabolism were observed in the parahippocampal/fusiform gyrus and cerebellum (P < 0.001). In conclusion, 12 weeks of yoga practice has significant effects on interoceptive awareness and perceived cognitive function in starters. Longer interventions and/or higher frequency of yoga practice may be needed to detect cerebral metabolic and/or morphologic effects on the macroscopic level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- June van Aalst
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lise Jennen
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Demyttenaere
- Research Group Psychiatry, Neurosciences, University Psychiatric Center KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Adult Psychiatry, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Sunaert
- Translational MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Radiology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michel Koole
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jenny Ceccarini
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Hernández SE, Dorta R, Suero J, Barros-Loscertales A, González-Mora JL, Rubia K. Larger whole brain grey matter associated with long-term Sahaja Yoga Meditation: A detailed area by area comparison. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237552. [PMID: 33370272 PMCID: PMC7769288 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Our previous study showed that long-term practitioners of Sahaja Yoga Meditation (SYM) had around 7% larger grey matter volume (GMV) in the whole brain compared with healthy controls; however, when testing individual regions, only 5 small brain areas were statistically different between groups. Under the hypothesis that those results were statistically conservative, with the same dataset, we investigated in more detail the regional differences in GMV associated with the practice of SYM, with a different statistical approach. Design Twenty-three experienced practitioners of SYM and 23 healthy non-meditators matched on age, sex and education level, were scanned using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Their GMV were extracted and compared using Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM). Using a novel ad-hoc general linear model, statistical comparisons were made to observe if the GMV differences between meditators and controls were statistically significant. Results In the 16 lobe area subdivisions, GMV was statistically significantly different in 4 out of 16 areas: in right hemispheric temporal and frontal lobes, left frontal lobe and brainstem. In the 116 AAL area subdivisions, GMV difference was statistically significant in 11 areas. The GMV differences were statistically more significant in right hemispheric brain areas. Conclusions The study shows that long-term practice of SYM is associated with larger GMV overall, and with significant differences mainly in temporal and frontal areas of the right hemisphere and the brainstem. These neuroplastic changes may reflect emotional and attentional control mechanisms developed with SYM. On the other hand, our statistical ad-hoc method shows that there were more brain areas with statistical significance compared to the traditional methodology which we think is susceptible to conservative Type II errors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Roberto Dorta
- Department of Matemáticas, Estadística e Investigación Operativa, Universidad de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - José Suero
- Centro de Salud Jazmín, Sermas, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Katya Rubia
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Chobe S, Patra SK, Chobe M, Metri K. Effect of integrated Yoga and Ayurveda Rasayana on cognitive functions in elderly with mild cognitive impairment. J Ayurveda Integr Med 2020; 13:100373. [PMID: 33349568 PMCID: PMC9034459 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaim.2020.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
|
19
|
Lenhart L, Steiger R, Waibel M, Mangesius S, Grams AE, Singewald N, Gizewski ER. Cortical reorganization processes in meditation naïve participants induced by 7 weeks focused attention meditation training. Behav Brain Res 2020; 395:112828. [PMID: 32745662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Based on the evidence that meditation is associated with numerous beneficial effects on well-being and reduced stress-related symptoms, mindfulness-based techniques were increasingly implemented into psychotherapeutic programs. However, different meditation styles and the cross-sectional nature of most previous analyses resulted in a great variety of morphometric findings. The present study aims to elucidate cortical reorganization processes and altered axonal integrity caused by short-term meditation training, and benefits from solely using focused attention meditation (FAM). METHODS 3 T MRI, including T1-MPRAGE and diffusion-weighted sequences, was performed in 27 healthy, meditation naïve participants (age: 43 ± 12.4 years) pre and post FAM meditation training (duration: 7.3 ± 0.4 weeks). Voxel-based morphometry was applied to assess brain changes in gray and white matter. Questionnaires were filled out by the individuals at both time-points to evaluate quality of life and self-awareness deficits. RESULTS The major findings comprised (i) gray matter increases in the insula, the caudate nucleus and frontal cortices, (ii) decreases in extended parietotemporal regions, the right medial prefrontal cortex and the parahippocampal gyrus, as well as (iii) fractional anisotropy increases of the right hippocampus, the basal ganglia and adjacent regions. Regression analysis revealed an association of specific alterations with reduced levels of state anxiety. CONCLUSIONS FAM training induced a broad range of dynamic brain alterations even within few weeks of training. Interestingly, this cohort revealed more, and partially different patterns of structural gray matter change compared to prior studies. The broad impact on neuronal organization processes may reflect more general outcomes related to health and well-being.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Lenhart
- Department of Radiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Ruth Steiger
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Stephanie Mangesius
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Astrid E Grams
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nicolas Singewald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Pharmacy and CMBI, Leopold Franzens University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Elke R Gizewski
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria; Neuroimaging Research Core Facility, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
van Aalst J, Ceccarini J, Demyttenaere K, Sunaert S, Van Laere K. What Has Neuroimaging Taught Us on the Neurobiology of Yoga? A Review. Front Integr Neurosci 2020; 14:34. [PMID: 32733213 PMCID: PMC7362763 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2020.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Yoga is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, with several implicated physical and mental benefits. Here we provide a comprehensive and critical review of the research generated from the existing neuroimaging literature in studies of yoga practitioners. We reviewed 34 international peer-reviewed neuroimaging studies of yoga using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): 11 morphological and 26 functional studies, including three studies that were classified as both morphological and functional. Consistent findings include increased gray matter volume in the insula and hippocampus, increased activation of prefrontal cortical regions, and functional connectivity changes mainly within the default mode network. There is quite some variability in the neuroimaging findings that partially reflects different yoga styles and approaches, as well as sample size limitations. Direct comparator groups such as physical activity are scarcely used so far. Finally, hypotheses on the underlying neurobiology derived from the imaging findings are discussed in the light of the potential beneficial effects of yoga.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- June van Aalst
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, UZ/KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jenny Ceccarini
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, UZ/KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Demyttenaere
- Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University Psychiatry Center KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Adult Psychiatry, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Sunaert
- Translational MRI, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Radiology, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, UZ/KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Division of Nuclear Medicine, UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Rogerson M, Wood C, Pretty J, Schoenmakers P, Bloomfield D, Barton J. Regular Doses of Nature: The Efficacy of Green Exercise Interventions for Mental Wellbeing. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E1526. [PMID: 32120892 PMCID: PMC7084199 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17051526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the efficacy of medium-term Green Exercise (GE; being physically active within a natural environment) interventions for improving wellbeing, by pooling data collected at the start and end of participants' engagement with a range of GE interventions. Hypotheses were that (i) interventions would show good efficacy for improving wellbeing in the overall sample; (ii) compared to participants reporting 'average to high' wellbeing at the start of their project, participants with 'low' starting wellbeing would report greater improvements post-intervention; and (iii) improvements would significantly differ between age groups. The pooled dataset was categorized in line with UK norms (n = 318) and analyzed using a standardized meta-analysis approach. Effect size was large: g = 0.812 (95% CI [0.599, 1.025]), and differences in wellbeing changes associated with project duration, age or sex were not statistically significant. Compared to those reporting 'average-high' starting wellbeing, participants reporting 'low' starting wellbeing exhibited greater improvements (BCa 95% CI [-31.8, -26.5]), with 60.8% moving into the 'average-high' wellbeing category. GE can play an important role in facilitating wellbeing and can provide alternative pathways for health and social care practice. Public health commissioners should consider integrating such interventions for patients experiencing low wellbeing or associated comorbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mike Rogerson
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK; (P.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Carly Wood
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK;
| | - Jules Pretty
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK;
| | - Patrick Schoenmakers
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK; (P.S.); (J.B.)
| | - Dan Bloomfield
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Treliever Road, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK;
| | - Jo Barton
- School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester, Essex CO4 3SQ, UK; (P.S.); (J.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Dodich A, Zollo M, Crespi C, Cappa SF, Laureiro Martinez D, Falini A, Canessa N. Short-term Sahaja Yoga meditation training modulates brain structure and spontaneous activity in the executive control network. Brain Behav 2019; 9:e01159. [PMID: 30485713 PMCID: PMC6346416 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 10/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While cross-sectional studies have shown neural changes in long-term meditators, they might be confounded by self-selection and potential baseline differences between meditators and non meditators. Prospective longitudinal studies of the effects of meditation in naïve subjects are more conclusive with respect to causal inferences, but related evidence is so far limited. METHODS Here, we assessed the effects of a 4-week Sahaja Yoga meditation training on gray matter density and spontaneous resting-state brain activity in a group of 12 meditation-naïve healthy adults. RESULTS Compared with 30 control subjects, the participants to meditation training showed increased gray matter density and changes in the coherence of intrinsic brain activity in two adjacent regions of the right inferior frontal gyrus encompassing the anterior component of the executive control network. Both these measures correlated with self-reported well-being scores in the meditation group. CONCLUSIONS The significant impact of a brief meditation training on brain regions associated with attention, self-control, and self-awareness may reflect the engagement of cognitive control skills in searching for a state of mental silence, a distinctive feature of Sahaja Yoga meditation. The manifold implications of these findings involve both managerial and rehabilitative settings concerned with well-being and emotional state in normal and pathological conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Dodich
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NIMTlab, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maurizio Zollo
- Invernizzi Center for Research in Innovation, Organization and Strategy, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Crespi
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,NeTS Center, Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefano F Cappa
- NeTS Center, Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS, Pavia, Italy.,IRCCS San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Falini
- Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.,Neuroradiology Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Canessa
- NeTS Center, Scuola Universitaria Superiore IUSS, Pavia, Italy.,Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, ICS Maugeri, Pavia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|