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Newberg AB, Wintering NA, Hriso C, Vedaei F, Gottfried S, Ross R. Neuroimaging evaluation of the long term impact of a novel paired meditation practice on brain function. FRONTIERS IN NEUROIMAGING 2024; 3:1368537. [PMID: 38915737 PMCID: PMC11194388 DOI: 10.3389/fnimg.2024.1368537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Background A growing number of advanced neuroimaging studies have compared brain structure and function in long term meditators to non-meditators. The goal is to determine if there may be long term effects on the brain from practicing meditation. In this paper, we present new data on the long term effects of a novel meditation practice in which the focus is on clitoral stimulation. The findings from such a study have implications for potential therapeutic uses with regard to various neurological or psychiatric conditions. Methods We evaluated the cerebral glucose metabolism in 40 subjects with an extended history (>1 year of practice, 2-3 times per week) performing the meditation practice called Orgasmic Meditation (OM) and compared their brains to a group of non-meditating healthy controls (N = 19). Both meditation and non-meditation subjects underwent brain PET after injection with 148 to 296 MBq of FDG using a standard imaging protocol. Resting FDG PET scans of the OM group were compared to the resting scans of healthy, non-meditating, controls using statistical parametric mapping. Results The OM group showed significant differences in metabolic activity at rest compared to the controls. Specifically, there was significantly lower metabolism in select areas of the frontal, temporal, and parietal lobes, as well as the anterior cingulate, insula, and thalamus, in the OM group compared to the controls. In addition, there were notable distinctions between the males and females with the females demonstrating significantly lower metabolism in the thalamus and insula. Conclusions Overall, these findings suggest that the long term meditation practitioners of OM have different patterns of resting brain metabolism. Since these areas of the brain in which OM practitioners differ from controls are involved in cognition, attention, and emotional regulation, such findings have implications for understanding how this meditation practice might affect practitioners over long periods of time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B. Newberg
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nancy A. Wintering
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Chloe Hriso
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Faezeh Vedaei
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sara Gottfried
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Reneita Ross
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Nash JD, Newberg AB. An updated classification of meditation methods using principles of taxonomy and systematics. Front Psychol 2023; 13:1062535. [PMID: 36846482 PMCID: PMC9945223 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1062535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper revisits the proposal for the classification of meditation methods which we introduced in our initial 2013 publication, "Toward a Universal Taxonomy and Definition of Meditation". At that time, we advanced the thesis that meditation methods could be effectively segregated into three orthogonal categories by integrating the taxonomic principle of functional essentialism and the paradigm of Affect and Cognition; and we presented relevant research findings which supported that assertion. This iteration expands upon those theoretical and methodological elements by articulating a more comprehensive Three Tier Classification System which accounts for the full range of meditation methods; and demonstrates how recent neuroscience research continues to validate and support our thesis. This paper also introduces a novel criterion-based protocol for formulating classification systems of meditation methods, and demonstrates how this model can be used to compare and evaluate various other taxonomy proposals that have been published over the past 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D. Nash
- Retired, Unaffiliated, Chiangmai, Thailand,*Correspondence: Jonathan D. Nash, ✉
| | - Andrew B. Newberg
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Jefferson University Hospitals, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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3
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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.
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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
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Newberg AB, Wintering NA, Hriso C, Vedaei F, Stoner M, Ross R. Alterations in Functional Connectivity Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Relationship With Heart Rate Variability in Subjects After Performing Orgasmic Meditation: An Exploratory Study. Front Psychol 2021; 12:708973. [PMID: 34858249 PMCID: PMC8631761 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.708973] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We measured changes in resting brain functional connectivity, with blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), associated with a creative meditation practice that is augmented by clitoral stimulation and is designed to not only achieve a spiritual experience but to help individuals manage their most intimate personal relationships. Briefly, the meditative state is attained by both the male and female participants while the male stimulates the woman’s clitoris. The goal of this practice, called orgasmic meditation (OM), according to the practitioners is not sexual, but to use the focus on clitoral stimulation to facilitate a meditative state of connectedness and calm alertness between the two participants. Methods: fMRI was acquired on 20 pairs of subjects shortly following one of two states that were randomized in their order – during the OM practice or during a neutral condition. The practice is performed while the female is lying down on pillows with the clitoris exposed. During the practice, the male performs digital stimulation of the clitoris for 15 min. Resting BOLD image acquisition was performed at completion of the practice to assess changes in functional connectivity associated with the performance of the practice. Results: The results demonstrated significant changes (p < 0.05) in functional connectivity associated with the OM compared to the neutral condition. For the entire group there was altered connectivity following the OM practice involving the left superior temporal lobe, the frontal lobe, anterior cingulate, and insula. In female subjects, there was altered connectivity involving the cerebellum, thalamus, inferior frontal lobe posterior parietal lobe, angular gyrus, amygdala and middle temporal gyrus, and prefrontal cortex. In males, functional connectivity changes involved the supramarginal gyrus, cerebellum, and orbitofrontal gyrus, cerebellum, parahippocampus, inferior temporal gyrus, and anterior cingulate. Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest a complex pattern of functional connectivity changes occurring in both members of the couple pair that result from this unique meditation practice. The changes represent a hybrid of functional connectivity findings with some similarities to meditation based practices and some with sexual stimulation and orgasm. This study has broader implications for understanding the dynamic relationship between sexuality and spirituality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew B Newberg
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States.,Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nancy A Wintering
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Chloe Hriso
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Faezeh Vedaei
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Marie Stoner
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Reneita Ross
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Chotipanich C, Tepmongkol S, Wongsawat Y, Jantarato A. Alterations of regional cerebral glucose metabolism using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography and electroencephalography analysis during mindfulness breathing in Anapanasati meditation: A preliminary analysis. World J Nucl Med 2021; 20:273-280. [PMID: 34703396 PMCID: PMC8488898 DOI: 10.4103/wjnm.wjnm_94_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Anapanasati is a core meditation of a breath-centered practice in the Buddhist Theravada tradition, which may have some neurological mechanism effects on the brain. To gain insight into the neurological mechanisms involved in Anapanasati meditation, we measured the alterations of regional cerebral glucose metabolism during Anapanasati meditation using positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and electroencephalography (EEG) analysis. This prospective study was conducted in six right-handed volunteer participants (two men, four women; aged: 32–67 years) who underwent18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT scans to compare the alterations of regional cerebral glucose metabolism during normal consciousness and Anapanasati meditation states. Spectral EEG analysis was performed throughout the investigations. Statistical parametric mapping was used for the18F-FDG PET/CT image analyses. The visual analysis demonstrated moderate-to-marked increased metabolism in posterior cingulate cortex in all six patients, while mild-to-moderate increased uptake in the whole frontal lobe was also observed in four patients and precuneus in four patients. Meanwhile, the semiquantitative analysis yielded an increase of regional cerebral glucose metabolism in the right mid-to-posterior cingulate gyrus (P < 0.000), with visible alpha waves on the frontal of the EEG findings. Our semiquantitative analysis showed a significantly increased metabolism only in the posterior cingulate cortex, but visually, there was also an increased metabolism in the whole frontal lobe in most of the patients correlating with EEG findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanisa Chotipanich
- National Cyclotron and PET Centre, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Supatporn Tepmongkol
- Department of Radiology, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University Biomedical Imaging Group, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Yodchanan Wongsawat
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Attapon Jantarato
- National Cyclotron and PET Centre, Chulabhorn Hospital, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
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6
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Maungtoug N, Othaganont P, Liehr P. Adding Ritualized Chanting to the Palliative Care of Cancer Patients at the End of Life: A Randomized Controlled Trial. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL WORK IN END-OF-LIFE & PALLIATIVE CARE 2021; 17:35-49. [PMID: 33491604 DOI: 10.1080/15524256.2021.1871703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the changes in comfort when adding ritualized chanting to the palliative care of cancer patients at the end of life. The method was a randomized control trial (RCT) performed with 60 cancer patients. Comfort was measured using the End of Life Planning Questionnaire (EOLPQ) with 30 participants in each group [ritualized chanting with palliative care (RCPC) and palliative care alone (PCA)] at baseline (T1), at a 3-week (T2) and the 6-week (T3) time frame. Comfort data were analyzed using two (groups) X three (time) repeated measures MANOVA. There were no significant statistical differences between the groups at baseline. Between-group differences indicated that comfort experienced by participants with the addition of ritualized chanting to palliative care significantly increased (p < .001) over time. The addition of ritualized chanting to the palliative care for cancer patients at the end of life can create changes in their comfort.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patricia Liehr
- College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida, USA
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Khalsa DS, Newberg AB. Spiritual Fitness: A New Dimension in Alzheimer's Disease Prevention. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 80:505-519. [PMID: 33554917 PMCID: PMC8075383 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Religious and spiritual interventions may have an effect on Alzheimer's disease prevention. Kirtan Kriya meditation has been shown to mitigate the deleterious effects of chronic stress on cognition, reverse memory loss, and create psychological and spiritual wellbeing, which may reduce multiple drivers of Alzheimer's disease risk. OBJECTIVE To detail a new concept in medicine called Spiritual Fitness, a merging of stress reduction, basic wellbeing, and psycho/spiritual wellbeing to prevent Alzheimer's disease. METHODS The literature on the topics mentioned above is described, including an in-depth discussion on why and how each are critical to advancing the future of Alzheimer's disease prevention. The many negative effects of chronic stress, and the benefits of Kirtan Kriya, are reviewed. The four pillars of basic wellbeing, six practical aspects of psychological wellbeing, and the four new non-sectarian features of spiritual fitness are then disclosed. Moreover, instructions on practicing Kirtan Kriya are offered in the Supplementary Material. CONCLUSION Religious and spiritual practices, including Kirtan Kriya, are crucial components in the development of enhanced cognition and well-being, which may help prevent and, in some cases, reverse cognitive decline. The key point of this review is that making a commitment to live a brain longevity lifestyle including spiritual fitness is a critically important way for aging Alzheimer's disease free. We hope that this article will inspire scientists, clinicians, and patients to embrace this new concept of spiritual fitness and make it a part of every multidomain program for the prevention of cognitive disability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew B. Newberg
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Department of Radiology, Marcus Institute of Integrative Health, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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8
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Travis F. On the Neurobiology of Meditation: Comparison of Three Organizing Strategies to Investigate Brain Patterns during Meditation Practice. Medicina (B Aires) 2020; 56:medicina56120712. [PMID: 33353049 PMCID: PMC7767117 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56120712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Three broad organizing strategies have been used to study meditation practices: (1) consider meditation practices as using similar processes and so combine neural images across a wide range of practices to identify the common underlying brain patterns of meditation practice, (2) consider meditation practices as unique and so investigate individual practices, or (3) consider meditation practices as fitting into larger categories and explore brain patterns within and between categories. The first organizing strategy combines meditation practices defined as deep concentration, attention to external and internal stimuli, and letting go of thoughts. Brain patterns of different procedures would all contribute to the final averages, which may not be representative of any practice. The second organizing strategy generates a multitude of brain patterns as each practice is studied individually. The rich detail of individual differences within each practice makes it difficult to identify reliable patterns between practices. The third organizing principle has been applied in three ways: (1) grouping meditations by their origin—Indian or Buddhist practices, (2) grouping meditations by the procedures of each practice, or (3) grouping meditations by brain wave frequencies reported during each practice. Grouping meditations by their origin mixes practices whose procedures include concentration, mindfulness, or effortless awareness, again resulting in a confounded pattern. Grouping meditations by their described procedures yields defining neural imaging patterns within each category, and clear differences between categories. Grouping meditations by the EEG frequencies associated with their procedures yields an objective system to group meditations and allows practices to “move” into different categories as subjects’ meditation experiences change over time, which would be associated with different brain patterns. Exploring meditations within theoretically meaningful categories appears to yield the most reliable picture of meditation practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick Travis
- Center for Brain, Consciousness and Cognition, Maharishi International University, Fairfield, IA 52557, USA
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9
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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.
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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
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10
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Barcelona J, Fahlman M, Churakova Y, Canjels R, Mallare J, van den Heuvel MI. Frontal alpha asymmetry during prayerful and resting states: An EEG study in Catholic sisters. Int J Psychophysiol 2020; 155:9-15. [PMID: 32353401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2020.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Life expectancy in the US is 78.6 years, and although people are living longer, they are also living with chronic diseases. As women age, they are more susceptible to chronic disease including mental health conditions and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) dementia. Therefore, practical and cost effective ways to prevent the onset of cognitive, mental and physical ailments and increase the quality of life among aging populations is timely and warranted. The purpose of this study in aging adult women was to explore if prayer is associated with electrical brain activity patterns consistent with meditation and therefore a likely pro-health behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS A sample of 33 healthy women (Mage = 80.1, SD = 8.3) were recruited from a Midwestern Catholic Sisters community. Participants completed 6 consecutive, counterbalanced electroencephalogram (EEG) sessions: three resting sessions and three praying sessions equating to 18 min of recorded EEG data for each participant. Differences in alpha power and frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) between praying and resting conditions and the influence of age on the association between inter-individual differences in alpha power were explored. RESULTS Results indicated significant higher alpha power detected in electrodes positioned in the occipital area for praying sessions compared to resting sessions. Additionally, we found significant positive correlations between FAA values and age of the participants for both conditions (rest: r = 0.436, p = 0.016; pray: r = 0.434, p = 0.017), indicating more approach-related brain activity in older participants. CONCLUSIONS Taken collectively, our results suggest that prayerful meditation increased alpha power and that positive and approach-related (left frontal-central) brain activity increased as Sisters aged. Future studies should explore the mediating role of age as it relates to meditation and cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeanne Barcelona
- Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Mariane Fahlman
- Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yulia Churakova
- Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Robin Canjels
- Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - James Mallare
- Department of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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11
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Pifarré P, Simó M, Gispert JD, Plaza P, Fernández A, Pujol J. Diazepam and Jacobson's Progressive Relaxation Show Similar Attenuating Short-Term Effects on Stress-Related Brain Glucose Consumption. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 30:187-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpsy.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 03/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractA non-pharmacological method to reduce anxiety is “progressive relaxation” (PR). The aim of the method is to reduce mental stress and associated mental processes by means of progressive suppression of muscle tension. The study was addressed to evaluate changes in brain glucose metabolism induced by PR in patients under a stressing state generated by a diagnostic medical intervention. The effect of PR was compared to a dose of sublingual diazepam, with the prediction that both interventions would be associated with a reduction in brain metabolism. Eighty-four oncological patients were assessed with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography. Maps of brain glucose distribution from 28 patients receiving PR were compared with maps from 28 patients receiving sublingual diazepam and with 28 patients with no treatment intervention. Compared to reference control subjects, the PR and diazepam groups showed a statistically significant, bilateral and generalized cortical hypometabolism. Regions showing the most prominent changes were the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex. No significant differences were identified in the direct comparison between relaxation technique and sublingual diazepam. Our findings suggest that relaxation induced by a physical/psychological procedure can be as effective as a reference anxiolytic in reducing brain activity during a stressful state.
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Magan D, Yadav RK, Bal CS, Mathur R, Pandey RM. Brain Plasticity and Neurophysiological Correlates of Meditation in Long-Term Meditators: A18Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Study Based on an Innovative Methodology. J Altern Complement Med 2019; 25:1172-1182. [DOI: 10.1089/acm.2019.0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dipti Magan
- Integral Health Clinic, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Raj Kumar Yadav
- Integral Health Clinic, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Chandra Shekhar Bal
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Positron Emission Tomography, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rashmi Mathur
- Integral Health Clinic, Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravindra Mohan Pandey
- Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Sharma A, Kumar Y. Nature's Derivative(s) as Alternative Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Treatments. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2019; 3:279-297. [PMID: 31867567 PMCID: PMC6918879 DOI: 10.3233/adr-190137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the 'Plague of Twenty-First Century,' is a crippling neurodegenerative disease that affects a majority of the older population globally. By 2050, the incidence of AD is expected to rise to 135 million, while no treatment(s) that can reverse or control the progression of AD are currently available. The treatment(s) in use are limited in their ability to manage the symptoms or slow the progression of the disease and can lead to some severe side effects. The overall care is economically burdensome for the affected individuals as well as the caretakers or family members. Thus, there is a pressing need to identify and develop much safer alternative therapies that can better manage AD. This review discusses a multitude of such treatments borrowed from Ayurveda, traditional Chinese practices, meditation, and exercising for AD treatment. These therapies are in practice since ancient times and reported to be beneficial as anti-AD therapies. Ayurvedic drugs like turmeric, Brahmi, Ashwagandha, etc., management of stress by meditation, regular exercising, and acupuncture have been reported to be efficient in their anti-AD usage. Besides, a combination of vitamins and natural dietary intakes is likely to play a significant role in combating AD. We conclude that the use of such alternative strategies will be a stepping-stone in preventing, treating, curing, or managing the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuja Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering (BSE), Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), Formerly Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT), Azad Hind Fauz Marg, New Delhi, India
| | - Yatender Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering (BSE), Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT), Formerly Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology (NSIT), Azad Hind Fauz Marg, New Delhi, India
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Chalfont G, Milligan C, Simpson J. A mixed methods systematic review of multimodal non-pharmacological interventions to improve cognition for people with dementia. DEMENTIA 2018; 19:1086-1130. [PMID: 30193536 PMCID: PMC7180318 DOI: 10.1177/1471301218795289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Objective Multimodal non-pharmacological interventions have been argued to
have the potential to complement current pharmacological
approaches to improving quality of life for people living with
dementia. The aim of this review was to identify, synthesise and
appraise the evidence for the effectiveness of multimodal
non-pharmacological interventions for improving cognitive
function specifically. Method After a comprehensive search strategy including grey literature, 26
studies were reviewed. The inclusion criteria concerned adults
with a primary diagnosis of dementia. Studies used two or more
different modes of intervention, and measured a cognitive
outcome. Due to differences in the conceptualisations of the
term ‘multimodal’, a typology of modes and methods was developed
to facilitate classification of candidate studies. Results Twenty-one group studies and five case studies were found. Group
studies used two or three modes of intervention and multiple
methods to implement them. Interventions utilised were
cognitive, physical, psychological and psychosocial, nutrition,
fasting, gut health, sleep hygiene, stress reduction,
detoxification, hormonal health and oxygen therapy. Five
individual case studies were found in two separate papers. Each
personalised patient treatment utilised in-depth assessments and
prescribed up to nine different modes. In 19 (90%) of the 21
group comparisons, participants were reported to have cognitive
improvements, stability with their dementia or a delay in their
decline. The extent of these improvements in terms of meaningful
clinical change was variable. Conclusion Multimodal non-pharmacological interventions have the potential to
complement singular therapeutic approaches by addressing
multiple modifiable risk factors currently understood to
contribute towards cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garuth Chalfont
- Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Christine Milligan
- Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Jane Simpson
- Division of Health Research, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
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15
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Gao J, Fan J, Wu BW, Halkias GT, Chau M, Fung PC, Chang C, Zhang Z, Hung YS, Sik H. Repetitive Religious Chanting Modulates the Late-Stage Brain Response to Fear- and Stress-Provoking Pictures. Front Psychol 2017; 7:2055. [PMID: 28119651 PMCID: PMC5223166 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.02055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Chanting and praying are among the most popular religious activities, which are said to be able to alleviate people’s negative emotions. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this mental exercise and its temporal course have hardly been investigated. Here, we used event-related potentials (ERPs) to explore the effects of chanting the name of a Buddha (Amitābha) on the brain’s response to viewing negative pictures that were fear- and stress-provoking. We recorded and analyzed electroencephalography (EEG) data from 21 Buddhists with chanting experience as they viewed negative and neutral pictures. Participants were instructed to chant the names of Amitābha or Santa Claus silently to themselves or simply remain silent (no-chanting condition) during picture viewing. To measure the physiological changes corresponding to negative emotions, electrocardiogram and galvanic skin response data were also collected. Results showed that viewing negative pictures (vs. neutral pictures) increased the amplitude of the N1 component in all the chanting conditions. The amplitude of late positive potential (LPP) also increased when the negative pictures were viewed under the no-chanting and the Santa Claus condition. However, increased LPP was not observed when chanting Amitābha. The ERP source analysis confirmed this finding and showed that increased LPP mainly originated from the central-parietal regions of the brain. In addition, the participants’ heart rates decreased significantly when viewing negative pictures in the Santa Claus condition. The no-chanting condition had a similar decreasing trend although not significant. However, while chanting Amitābha and viewing negative pictures participants’ heart rate did not differ significantly from that observed during neutral picture viewing. It is possible that the chanting of Amitābha might have helped the participants to develop a religious schema and neutralized the effect of the negative stimuli. These findings echo similar research findings on Christian religious practices and brain responses to negative stimuli. Hence, prayer/religious practices may have cross-cultural universality in emotion regulation. This study shows for the first time that Buddhist chanting, or in a broader sense, repetition of religious prayers will not modulate brain responses to negative stimuli during the early perceptual stage, but only during the late-stage emotional/cognitive processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junling Gao
- Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Jicong Fan
- Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Electronic Engineering, City University of Hong KongHong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Bonnie W Wu
- Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Georgios T Halkias
- Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Maggie Chau
- Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Peter C Fung
- Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chunqi Chang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Shenzhen, China
| | - Yeung-Sam Hung
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Hinhung Sik
- Centre of Buddhist Studies, The University of Hong Kong Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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16
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Acevedo BP, Pospos S, Lavretsky H. The Neural Mechanisms of Meditative Practices: Novel Approaches for Healthy Aging. Curr Behav Neurosci Rep 2016; 3:328-339. [PMID: 27909646 PMCID: PMC5110576 DOI: 10.1007/s40473-016-0098-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Meditation has been shown to have physical, cognitive, and psychological health benefits that can be used to promote healthy aging. However, the common and specific mechanisms of response remain elusive due to the diverse nature of mind–body practices. Methods In this review, we aim to compare the neural circuits implicated in focused-attention meditative practices that focus on present-moment awareness to those involved in active-type meditative practices (e.g., yoga) that combine movement, including chanting, with breath practices and meditation. Recent Findings Recent meta-analyses and individual studies demonstrated common brain effects for attention-based meditative practices and active-based meditations in areas involved in reward processing and learning, attention and memory, awareness and sensory integration, and self-referential processing and emotional control, while deactivation was seen in the amygdala, an area implicated in emotion processing. Unique effects for mindfulness practices were found in brain regions involved in body awareness, attention, and the integration of emotion and sensory processing. Effects specific to active-based meditations appeared in brain areas involved in self-control, social cognition, language, speech, tactile stimulation, sensorimotor integration, and motor function. Summary This review suggests that mind–body practices can target different brain systems that are involved in the regulation of attention, emotional control, mood, and executive cognition that can be used to treat or prevent mood and cognitive disorders of aging, such as depression and caregiver stress, or serve as “brain fitness” exercise. Benefits may include improving brain functional connectivity in brain systems that generally degenerate with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other aging-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca P Acevedo
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA USA ; Neuroscience Research Institute, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106 USA
| | - Sarah Pospos
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Helen Lavretsky
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA USA
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17
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Abstract
Meditation has become popular in many Western nations, especially the USA. An increasing body of research shows various health benefits associated with meditation and these findings have sparked interest in the field of medicine. The practice of meditation originated in the ancient Vedic times of India and is described in the ancient Vedic texts. Meditation is one of the modalities used in Ayurveda (Science of Life), the comprehensive, natural health care system that originated in the ancient Vedic times of India. The term “meditation” is now loosely used to refer to a large number of diverse techniques. According to Vedic science, the true purpose of meditation is to connect oneself to one's deep inner Self. Techniques which achieve that goal serve the true purpose of meditation. Neurological and physiological correlates of meditation have been investigated previously. This article describes the process of meditation at a more fundamental level and aims to shed light on the deeper underlying mechanism of the beneficial effects associated with meditation. Research on the effects of meditation is summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Sharma
- Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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18
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Innes KE, Selfe TK, Khalsa DS, Kandati S. Effects of Meditation versus Music Listening on Perceived Stress, Mood, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Adults with Early Memory Loss: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 52:1277-98. [PMID: 27079708 PMCID: PMC5649740 DOI: 10.3233/jad-151106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adults with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are at increased risk not only for Alzheimer's disease, but for poor mental health, impaired sleep, and diminished quality of life (QOL), which in turn, contribute to further cognitive decline, highlighting the need for early intervention. OBJECTIVE In this randomized controlled trial, we assessed the effects of two 12-week relaxation programs, Kirtan Kriya Meditation (KK) and music listening (ML), on perceived stress, sleep, mood, and health-related QOL in older adults with SCD. METHODS Sixty community-dwelling older adults with SCD were randomized to a KK or ML program and asked to practice 12 minutes daily for 12 weeks, then at their discretion for the following 3 months. At baseline, 12 weeks, and 26 weeks, perceived stress, mood, psychological well-being, sleep quality, and health-related QOL were measured using well-validated instruments. RESULTS Fifty-three participants (88%) completed the 6-month study. Participants in both groups showed significant improvement at 12 weeks in psychological well-being and in multiple domains of mood and sleep quality (p's≤0.05). Relative to ML, those assigned to KK showed greater gains in perceived stress, mood, psychological well-being, and QOL-Mental Health (p's≤0.09). Observed gains were sustained or improved at 6 months, with both groups showing marked and significant improvement in all outcomes. Changes were unrelated to treatment expectancies. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that practice of a simple meditation or ML program may improve stress, mood, well-being, sleep, and QOL in adults with SCD, with benefits sustained at 6 months and gains that were particularly pronounced in the KK group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim E. Innes
- Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Terry Kit Selfe
- Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
- Center for the Study of Complementary and Alternative Therapies, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Dharma Singh Khalsa
- Department of Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM and the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Sahiti Kandati
- Department of Epidemiology, West Virginia University School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV, USA
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19
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Laneri D, Schuster V, Dietsche B, Jansen A, Ott U, Sommer J. Effects of Long-Term Mindfulness Meditation on Brain's White Matter Microstructure and its Aging. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 7:254. [PMID: 26834624 PMCID: PMC4712309 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although research on the effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) is increasing, still very little has been done to address its influence on the white matter (WM) of the brain. We hypothesized that the practice of MM might affect the WM microstructure adjacent to five brain regions of interest associated with mindfulness. Diffusion tensor imaging was employed on samples of meditators and non-meditators (n = 64) in order to investigate the effects of MM on group difference and aging. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to estimate the fractional anisotrophy of the WM connected to the thalamus, insula, amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex. The subsequent generalized linear model analysis revealed group differences and a group-by-age interaction in all five selected regions. These data provide preliminary indications that the practice of MM might result in WM connectivity change and might provide evidence on its ability to help diminish age-related WM degeneration in key regions which participate in processes of mindfulness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Laneri
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
| | - Verena Schuster
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
| | - Bruno Dietsche
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Jansen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Ott
- Department of Psychology, Bender Institute of Neuroimaging, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen Giessen, Germany
| | - Jens Sommer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
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20
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Khalsa DS. Stress, Meditation, and Alzheimer's Disease Prevention: Where The Evidence Stands. J Alzheimers Dis 2015; 48:1-12. [PMID: 26445019 PMCID: PMC4923750 DOI: 10.3233/jad-142766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Although meditation is believed to be over five thousand years old, scientific research on it is in its infancy. Mitigating the extensive negative biochemical effects of stress is a superficially discussed target of Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention, yet may be critically important. This paper reviews lifestyle and stress as possible factors contributing to AD and meditation's effects on cognition and well-being for reduction of neurodegeneration and prevention of AD. This review highlights Kirtan Kriya (KK), an easy, cost effective meditation technique requiring only 12 minutes a day, which has been successfully employed to improve memory in studies of people with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and highly stressed caregivers, all of whom are at increased risk for subsequent development of AD. KK has also been shown to improve sleep, decrease depression, reduce anxiety, down regulate inflammatory genes, upregulate immune system genes, improve insulin and glucose regulatory genes, and increase telomerase by 43%; the largest ever recorded. KK also improves psycho-spiritual well-being or spiritual fitness, important for maintenance of cognitive function and prevention of AD. KK is easy to learn and practice by aging individuals. It is the premise of this review that meditation in general, and KK specifically, along with other modalities such as dietary modification, physical exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization, may be beneficial as part of an AD prevention program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dharma Singh Khalsa
- Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Internal/Integrative Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
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21
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Disentangling the neural mechanisms involved in Hinduism- and Buddhism-related meditations. Brain Cogn 2014; 90:32-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bandc.2014.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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22
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Hazari N, Sarkar S. A Review of Yoga and Meditation Neuroimaging Studies in Healthy Subjects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1089/act.2014.20109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nandita Hazari
- Senior residents in the department of psychiatry at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), in Chandigarh, India
| | - Siddharth Sarkar
- Senior residents in the department of psychiatry at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), in Chandigarh, India
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23
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Marciniak R, Sheardova K, Cermáková P, Hudeček D, Sumec R, Hort J. Effect of meditation on cognitive functions in context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:17. [PMID: 24478663 PMCID: PMC3903052 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 01/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Effect of different meditation practices on various aspects of mental and physical health is receiving growing attention. The present paper reviews evidence on the effects of several mediation practices on cognitive functions in the context of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The effect of meditation in this area is still poorly explored. Seven studies were detected through the databases search, which explores the effect of meditation on attention, memory, executive functions, and other miscellaneous measures of cognition in a sample of older people and people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, reviewed studies suggested a positive effect of meditation techniques, particularly in the area of attention, as well as memory, verbal fluency, and cognitive flexibility. These findings are discussed in the context of MRI studies suggesting structural correlates of the effects. Meditation can be a potentially suitable non-pharmacological intervention aimed at the prevention of cognitive decline in the elderly. However, the conclusions of these studies are limited by their methodological flaws and differences of various types of meditation techniques. Further research in this direction could help to verify the validity of the findings and clarify the problematic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Marciniak
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Sheardova
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Pavla Cermáková
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno , Brno , Czech Republic ; Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
| | - Daniel Hudeček
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Rastislav Sumec
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno , Brno , Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Hort
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno , Brno , Czech Republic ; Memory Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague and University Hospital Motol , Prague , Czech Republic
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24
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Esch T. The Neurobiology of Meditation and Mindfulness. MEDITATION – NEUROSCIENTIFIC APPROACHES AND PHILOSOPHICAL IMPLICATIONS 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-01634-4_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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25
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Nash JD, Newberg A, Awasthi B. Toward a unifying taxonomy and definition for meditation. Front Psychol 2013; 4:806. [PMID: 24312060 PMCID: PMC3834522 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the well-documented concerns confronting scholarly discourse about meditation is the plethora of semantic constructs and the lack of a unified definition and taxonomy. In recent years there have been several notable attempts to formulate new lexicons in order to define and categorize meditation methods. While these constructs have been useful and have encountered varying degrees of acceptance, they have also been subject to misinterpretation and debate, leaving the field devoid of a consensual paradigm. This paper attempts to influence this ongoing discussion by proposing two new models which hold the potential for enhanced scientific reliability and acceptance. Regarding the quest for a universally acceptable taxonomy, we suggest a paradigm shift away from the norm of fabricatIng new terminology from a first-person perspective. As an alternative, we propose a new taxonomic system based on the historically well-established and commonly accepted third-person paradigm of Affect and Cognition, borrowed, in part, from the psychological and cognitive sciences. With regard to the elusive definitional problem, we propose a model of meditation which clearly distinguishes "method" from "state" and is conceptualized as a dynamic process which is inclusive of six related but distinct stages. The overall goal is to provide researchers with a reliable nomenclature with which to categorize and classify diverse meditation methods, and a conceptual framework which can provide direction for their research and a theoretical basis for their findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew Newberg
- Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Medical CollegePhiladelphia, PA, USA
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26
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Aliev G, Ashraf GM, Kaminsky YG, Sheikh IA, Sudakov SK, Yakhno NN, Benberin VV, Bachurin SO. Implication of the nutritional and nonnutritional factors in the context of preservation of cognitive performance in patients with dementia/depression and Alzheimer disease. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2013; 28:660-70. [PMID: 24085255 PMCID: PMC10852765 DOI: 10.1177/1533317513504614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2024]
Abstract
It has been postulated that Alzheimer disease (AD) is a systemic process, which involves multiple pathophysiological factors. A combination of pharmacotherapy and nonpharmacological interventions has been proposed to treat AD and other dementia. The nonpharmacological interventions include but are not limited to increasing sensory input through physical and mental activities, in order to modify cerebral blood flow and implementing nutritional interventions such as diet modification and vitamins and nutraceuticals therapy to vitalize brain functioning. This article highlights the recent research findings regarding novel treatment strategies aimed at modifying natural course of the disease and delaying cognitive decline through simultaneous implementation of pharmacological and nonpharmacological modulators as standardized treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gjumrakch Aliev
- GALLY International Biomedical Research Consulting LLC, San Antonio, TX, USA
- School of Health Science and Healthcare Administration, University of Atlanta, Johns Creek, GA, USA
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yury G. Kaminsky
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Russian Federation
| | - Ishfaq Ahmed Sheikh
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sergey K. Sudakov
- P.K. Anokhin Research Institute of Neurological Disorders, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (RAMS), Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Nikolay N. Yakhno
- Department of Neurological Disorders, I.M. Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Valery V. Benberin
- Medical Center of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Sergey O. Bachurin
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Russian Federation
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27
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Abstract
A growing body of research suggests that meditation practices are associated with substantial psychological as well as physiological benefits. In searching for the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial impact of meditation, studies have revealed practice-induced alterations of neurotransmitters, brain activity, and cognitive abilities, just to name a few. These findings not only imply a close link between meditation and brain structure, but also suggest possible modulating effects of meditation on age-related brain atrophy. Given that normal aging is associated with significant loss of brain tissue, meditation-induced growth and/or preservation might manifest as a seemingly reduced brain age in meditators (i.e., cerebral measures characteristic of younger brains). Surprisingly, there are only three published studies that have addressed the question of whether meditation diminishes age-related brain degeneration. This paper reviews these three studies with respect to the brain attributes studied, the analytical strategies applied, and the findings revealed. The review concludes with an elaborate discussion on the significance of existing studies, implications and directions for future studies, as well as the overall relevance of this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Luders
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
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28
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Vogt BA. Inflammatory bowel disease: perspectives from cingulate cortex in the first brain. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2013; 25:93-8. [PMID: 23336589 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The article by Agostini et al. (2013) in this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility evaluated patients with Crohn's disease (CD) for volumetric changes throughout the brain. They observed decreased gray matter volumes in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) and disease duration was negatively correlated with volumes in subgenual anterior cingulate (sACC), posterior MCC (pMCC), ventral posterior cingulate (vPCC), and parahippocampal cortices. As all patients were in remission and suffered from ongoing abdominal pain, this study provides a critical link between forebrain changes and abdominal pain experience independent of active disease and drug treatment. The aMCC has a role in feedback-mediated decision making and there are specific cognitive tasks that differentiate aMCC and pMCC that can be used to evaluate defects in CD. The sACC is an important area as it has impaired functions in major depression. As depressive symptoms are a feature in a subset of patients with active inflammatory diseases including IBD, treatment targeting this subregion should prove efficacious. Finally, vPCC has a role in ongoing self-monitoring of the personal relevance of sensory stimuli including visceral signals via sACC. This pathway may be interrupted by vPCC atrophy in CD. Cingulate atrophy in CD leads to targeting chronic pain and psychiatric symptoms via cingulate-mediated therapies. These include psychotherapy, guided imagery and relaxation training, analgesic dosages of morphine or antidepressants, and hypnosis. Thus, a new generation of novel treatments may emerge from drug and non-traditional therapies for CD in this formative area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Vogt
- Cingulum Neurosciences Institute, Manlius, NY, USA.
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29
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Tomasino B, Fregona S, Skrap M, Fabbro F. Meditation-related activations are modulated by the practices needed to obtain it and by the expertise: an ALE meta-analysis study. Front Hum Neurosci 2013; 6:346. [PMID: 23316154 PMCID: PMC3539725 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain network governing meditation has been studied using a variety of meditation practices and techniques practices eliciting different cognitive processes (e.g., silence, attention to own body, sense of joy, mantras, etc.). It is very possible that different practices of meditation are subserved by largely, if not entirely, disparate brain networks. This assumption was tested by conducting an activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis of meditation neuroimaging studies, which assessed 150 activation foci from 24 experiments. Different ALE meta-analyses were carried out. One involved the subsets of studies involving meditation induced through exercising focused attention (FA). The network included clusters bilaterally in the medial gyrus, the left superior parietal lobe, the left insula and the right supramarginal gyrus (SMG). A second analysis addressed the studies involving meditation states induced by chanting or by repetition of words or phrases, known as “mantra.” This type of practice elicited a cluster of activity in the right SMG, the SMA bilaterally and the left postcentral gyrus. Furthermore, the last analyses addressed the effect of meditation experience (i.e., short- vs. long-term meditators). We found that frontal activation was present for short-term, as compared with long-term experience meditators, confirming that experts are better enabled to sustain attentional focus, rather recruiting the right SMG and concentrating on aspects involving disembodiment.
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Lavretsky H, Siddarth P, Nazarian N, St. Cyr N, Khalsa D, Lin J, Blackburn E, Epel E, Irwin MR. A pilot study of yogic meditation for family dementia caregivers with depressive symptoms: effects on mental health, cognition, and telomerase activity. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2013; 28:57-65. [PMID: 22407663 PMCID: PMC3423469 DOI: 10.1002/gps.3790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study examined the effects of brief daily yogic meditation on mental health, cognitive functioning, and immune cell telomerase activity in family dementia caregivers with mild depressive symptoms. METHODS Thirty-nine family dementia caregivers (mean age 60.3 years old (SD = 10.2)) were randomized to practicing Kirtan Kriya or listening to relaxation music for 12 min per day for 8 weeks. The severity of depressive symptoms, mental and cognitive functioning were assessed at baseline and follow-up. Telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMBC) was examined in peripheral PBMC pre-intervention and post-intervention. RESULTS The meditation group showed significantly lower levels of depressive symptoms and greater improvement in mental health and cognitive functioning compared with the relaxation group. In the meditation group, 65.2% showed 50% improvement on the Hamilton Depression Rating scale and 52% of the participants showed 50% improvement on the Mental Health Composite Summary score of the Short Form-36 scale compared with 31.2% and 19%, respectively, in the relaxation group (p < 0.05). The meditation group showed 43% improvement in telomerase activity compared with 3.7% in the relaxation group (p = 0.05). CONCLUSION This pilot study found that brief daily meditation practices by family dementia caregivers can lead to improved mental and cognitive functioning and lower levels of depressive symptoms. This improvement is accompanied by an increase in telomerase activity suggesting improvement in stress-induced cellular aging. These results need to be confirmed in a larger sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Lavretsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - P. Siddarth
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - N. Nazarian
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - N. St. Cyr
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - D.S. Khalsa
- Alzheimer’s Research and Prvention Foundation
| | - J. Lin
- Blackburn Laboratory University of California, San Francisco
| | - E. Blackburn
- Blackburn Laboratory University of California, San Francisco
| | - E.S. Epel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)
| | - M. R. Irwin
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and the Semel Institute for Neuroscience, University of California, Los Angeles,Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, University of California, Los Angeles
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Pomykala KL, Silverman DH, Geist CL, Voege P, Siddarth P, Nazarian N, St Cyr NM, Khalsa DS, Lavretsky H. A pilot study of the effects of meditation on regional brain metabolism in distressed dementia caregivers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 8:509-516. [PMID: 23378856 DOI: 10.2217/ahe.12.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
AIMS: Caregiver distress can affect mood and cognition. Meditation can be used to reduce stress. This pilot study explored whether yogic meditation could change regional cerebral metabolism in distressed caregivers. METHODS: Nine dementia caregivers were randomized to undergo meditation training compared with relaxation for 12 min per day for 8 weeks. Caregivers received neuropsychiatric assessments and brain FDG-PET scans at baseline and postintervention. RESULTS: The groups did not differ on measures of mood, mental and physical health, and burden at baseline and follow-up. When comparing the regional cerebral metabolism between groups, significant differences over time were found in the bilateral cerebellum (p < 0.0005), right inferior lateral anterior temporal (p < 0.0005), right inferior frontal (p = 0.001), left superior frontal (p = 0.001), left associative visual (p = 0.002) and right posterior cingulate (p = 0.002) cortices. CONCLUSION: Meditation practice in distressed caregivers resulted in different patterns of regional cerebral metabolism from relaxation. These pilot results should be replicated in a larger study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey L Pomykala
- Department of Molecular & Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Meditation as a potential therapy for autism: a review. AUTISM RESEARCH AND TREATMENT 2012; 2012:835847. [PMID: 22937260 PMCID: PMC3420737 DOI: 10.1155/2012/835847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2011] [Revised: 03/21/2012] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Autism is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder of unknown cause that affects approximately 1–3 percent of children and four times more boys than girls. Its prevalence is global and its social impact is devastating. In autism, the brain is unable to process sensory information normally. Instead, simple stimuli from the outside world are experienced as overwhelmingly intense and strain the emotional centers of the brain. A stress response to the incoming information is initiated that destabilizes cognitive networks and short-circuits adequate behavioral output. As a result, the child is unable to respond adequately to stimulation and initiate social behavior towards family, friends, and peers. In addition, these children typically face immune-digestive disorders that heighten social fears, anxieties, and internal conflicts. While it is critical to treat the physical symptoms, it is equally vital to offer an evidence-based holistic solution that harmonizes both their emotional and physical well-being as they move from childhood into adult life. Here, we summarize evidence from clinical studies and neuroscience research that suggests that an approach built on yogic principles and meditative tools is worth pursuing. Desired outcomes include relief of clinical symptoms of the disease, greater relaxation, and facilitated expression of feelings and skills, as well as improved family and social quality of life.
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The effects of meditation on perceived stress and related indices of psychological status and sympathetic activation in persons with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers: a pilot study. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2012; 2012:927509. [PMID: 22454689 PMCID: PMC3292237 DOI: 10.1155/2012/927509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Revised: 12/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective. To investigate the effects of an 8-week meditation program on perceived stress, sleep, mood, and related outcomes in adults with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. Methods. Community-dwelling adults with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease, together with their live-in caregivers, were enrolled in the study. After a brief training, participants were asked to meditate for 11 minutes, twice daily for 8 weeks. Major outcomes included measures of perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), sleep (General Sleep Disturbance Scale), mood (Profile of Mood States), memory functioning (Memory Functioning Questionnaire), and blood pressure. Participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results. Ten participants (5 of 6 dyads) completed the study. Treatment effects did not vary by participant status; analyses were thus pooled across participants. Adherence was good (meditation sessions completed/week: X = 11.4 ± 1.1). Participants demonstrated improvement in all major outcomes, including perceived stress (P < 0.001), mood (overall, P = 0.07; depression, P = 0.01), sleep (P < 0.04), retrospective memory function (P = 0.04), and blood pressure (systolic, P = 0.004; diastolic, P = 0.065). Conclusions.
Findings of this exploratory trial suggest that an 8-week meditation program may offer an acceptable and effective intervention for
reducing perceived stress and improving certain domains of sleep, mood, and memory in adults with cognitive
impairment and their caregivers.
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Khalsa DS. Alzheimer Disease. Integr Med (Encinitas) 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4377-1793-8.00009-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Khalsa DS. Mindfulness effects on caregiver stress: should we expect more? J Altern Complement Med 2011; 16:1025-6. [PMID: 20954958 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2010.0431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Presidential Address: Can prayer help surgery? Am J Surg 2011; 201:275-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2010.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2010] [Revised: 08/10/2010] [Accepted: 08/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Sibinga EMS, Kemper KJ. Complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine: meditation practices for pediatric health. Pediatr Rev 2010; 31:e91-103. [PMID: 21123509 DOI: 10.1542/pir.31-12-e91] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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