Default Mode Network, Meditation, and Age-Associated Brain Changes: What Can We Learn from the Impact of Mental Training on Well-Being as a Psychotherapeutic Approach?

Structural and functional sex differences in medial temporal lobe subregions at midlife

BACKGROUND

Research has increasingly recognized sex differences in aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) susceptibility. However, sex effects on the medial temporal lobe (MTL), a crucial region affected by aging and AD, remain poorly understood when it comes to the intricacies of morphology and functional connectivity. This study aimed to systematically analyze structural and functional connectivity among MTL subregions, which are known to exhibit documented morphological sex differences, during midlife, occurring before the putative pivotal age of cerebral decline. The study sought to explore the hypothesis that these differences in MTL subregion volumes would manifest in sex-related functional distinctions within the broader brain network.

METHODS

201 cognitively unimpaired adults were included and stratified into four groups according to age and sex (i.e., Women and Men aged 40-50 and 50-60). These participants underwent comprehensive high-resolution structural MRI as well as resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI). Utilizing established automated segmentation, we delineated MTL subregions and assessed morphological differences through an ANOVA. Subsequently, the CONN toolbox was employed for conducting ROI-to-ROI and Fractional Amplitude of Low-Frequency Fluctuations (fALFF) analyses to investigate functional connectivity within the specific MTL subregions among these distinct groups.

RESULTS

Significant differences in volumetric measurements were found primarily between women aged 40-50 and men of all ages, in the posterior hippocampus (pHPC) and the parahippocampal (PHC) cortex (p < 0.001), and, to a lesser extent, between women aged 50-60 and men of all ages (p < 0.05). Other distinctions were observed, but no significant differences in connectivity patterns or fALFF scores were detected between these groups.

DISCUSSION

Despite notable sex-related morphological differences in the posterior HPC and PHC regions, women and men appear to share a common pattern of brain connectivity at midlife. Longitudinal analyses are necessary to assess if midlife morphological sex differences in the MTL produce functional changes over time and thus, their potential role in cerebral decline.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation modulates human conscious perception of mental representation

Mental representation is a key concept in cognitive science; nevertheless, its neural foundations remain elusive. We employed non-invasive electrical brain stimulation and functional magnetic resonance imaging to address this. During this process, participants perceived flickering red and green visual stimuli, discerning them either as distinct, non-fused colours or as a mentally generated, fused colour (orange). The application of transcranial alternating current stimulation to the medial prefrontal region (a key node of the default-mode network) suppressed haemodynamic activation in higher-order subthalamic and central executive networks associated with the perception of fused colours. This implies that higher-order thalamocortical and default-mode networks are crucial in humans' conscious perception of mental representation.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy neurobiology in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: A domain-related resting-state networks approach

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) stands out as a promising augmentation psychological therapy for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To identify potential predictive and response biomarkers, this study examines the relationship between clinical domains and resting-state network connectivity in OCD patients undergoing a 3-month MBCT programme. Twelve OCD patients underwent two resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging sessions at baseline and after the MBCT programme. We assessed four clinical domains: positive affect, negative affect, anxiety sensitivity, and rumination. Independent component analysis characterised resting-state networks (RSNs), and multiple regression analyses evaluated brain-clinical associations. At baseline, distinct network connectivity patterns were found for each clinical domain: parietal-subcortical, lateral prefrontal, medial prefrontal, and frontal-occipital. Predictive and response biomarkers revealed significant brain-clinical associations within two main RSNs: the ventral default mode network (vDMN) and the frontostriatal network (FSN). Key brain nodes -the precuneus and the frontopolar cortex- were identified within these networks. MBCT may modulate vDMN and FSN connectivity in OCD patients, possibly reducing symptoms across clinical domains. Each clinical domain had a unique baseline brain connectivity pattern, suggesting potential symptom-based biomarkers. Using these RSNs as predictors could enable personalised treatments and the identification of patients who would benefit most from MBCT.

Neurophysiological brain function predicts response to cognitive rehabilitation and mindfulness in multiple sclerosis: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Cognitive treatment response varies highly in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Identification of mechanisms is essential for predicting response.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate whether brain network function predicts response to cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).

METHODS

PwMS with cognitive complaints completed CRT, MBCT, or enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU) and performed three measurements (baseline, post-treatment, 6-month follow-up). Baseline magnetoencephalography (MEG) measures were used to predict treatment effects on cognitive complaints, personalized cognitive goals, and information processing speed (IPS) using mixed models (secondary analysis REMIND-MS study).

RESULTS

We included 105 PwMS (96 included in prediction analyses; 32 CRT, 31 MBCT, 33 ETAU), and 56 healthy controls with baseline MEG. MEG did not predict reductions in complaints. Higher connectivity predicted better goal achievement after MBCT (p = 0.010) and CRT (p = 0.018). Lower gamma power (p = 0.006) and higher connectivity (p = 0.020) predicted larger IPS benefits after MBCT. These MEG predictors indicated worse brain function compared to healthy controls (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Brain network function predicted better cognitive goal achievement after MBCT and CRT, and IPS improvements after MBCT. PwMS with neuronal slowing and hyperconnectivity were most prone to show treatment response, making network function a promising tool for personalized treatment recommendations.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The REMIND-MS study was prospectively registered in the Dutch Trial registry (NL6285; https://trialsearch.who.int/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=NTR6459 ).

Cognitive, psychological, and physiological effects of a web-based mindfulness intervention in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: an open study

BACKGROUND

The development of effective strategies to maintain good mental health of older adults is a public health priority. Mindfulness-based interventions have the potential to improve psychological well-being and cognitive functions of older adults, but little is known about the effect of such interventions when delivered through internet. During the COVID-19 pandemic we evaluated short- and long-term cognitive, psychological, and physiological effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) delivered via web-based videoconference in healthy older adults.

METHODS

Fifty older adults participated in an 8-week MBI, which comprised structured 2-h weekly group sessions. A comprehensive evaluation encompassing cognitive (verbal memory, attention and processing speed, executive functions) and psychological assessments (depression and anxiety symptoms, mindfulness, worries, emotion regulation strategies, well-being, interoceptive awareness and sleep) was conducted. Additionally, electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded before and after the MBI and at the 6-month follow-up (T6). Data were analyzed using an intention-to-treat approach, using linear mixed models adjusted for age. The effect size for time was computed as omega squared.

RESULTS

We observed significant improvements from pre-MBI to post-MBI and at the T6 across several measures. These improvements were notable in the areas of verbal memory (California Verbal Learning Test, p ≤ .007), attention and executive functions (Trail Making Test A and BA, p < .050), interoceptive awareness (Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, p = .0002 for self-regulation and p < .05 for noticing, body listening, and trusting dimensions), and rumination (Heidelberg Form for Emotion Regulation Strategies, p = .018). These changes were associated with low to medium effect size. Moreover, we observed significant changes in EEG patterns, with a decrease in alpha1 (p = .004) and an increase in alpha2 (p < .0001) from pre-MBI to T6. Notably, improvements in TMTBA and rumination were correlated with the decrease in alpha1 (p < .050), while improvements in TMTA were linked to the increase in alpha2 (p = .025).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study show that a web-based MBI in older adults leads to improvements in cognitive and psychological measures, with associated modulations in specific brain rhythms. While these findings are promising, further controlled studies are required to validate these preliminary results.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial has been registered with the United States National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health Registry of Clinical Trials under the code NCT05941143 on July 12, 2023.

Prefrontal cortical hemodynamics and functional network organization during Tai Chi standing meditation: an fNIRS study

Introduction

Tai Chi standing meditation (Zhan Zhuang, also called pile standing) is characterized by meditation, deep breathing, and mental focus based on theories of traditional Chinese medicine. The purpose of the present study was to explore prefrontal cortical hemodynamics and the functional network organization associated with Tai Chi standing meditation by using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).

Methods

Twenty-four channel fNIRS signals were recorded from 24 male Tai Chi Quan practitioners (54.71 ± 8.04 years) while standing at rest and standing during Tai Chi meditation. The general linear model and the SPM method were used to analyze the fNIRS signals. Pearson correlation was calculated to determine the functional connectivity between the prefrontal cortical sub-regions. The small world properties of the FC networks were then further analyzed based on graph theory.

Results

During Tai Chi standing meditation, significantly higher concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin were observed in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), frontal eye field (FEF), and pre-motor cortex (PMC) compared with the values measured during standing rest (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, significant decreases in deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration were observed in left VLPFC, right PMC and DLPFC during Tai Chi standing meditation than during standing rest (p < 0.05). Functional connectivity between the left and right PFC was also significantly stronger during the Tai Chi standing meditation (p < 0.05). The functional brain networks exhibited small-world architecture, and more network hubs located in DLPFC and VLPFC were identified during Tai Chi standing meditation than during standing rest.

Discussion

These findings suggest that Tai Chi standing meditation introduces significant changes in the cortical blood flow and the brain functional network organization.

Impact of Yoga as an Add-On Intervention on Neurocognitive Functions Among Adult Athletes: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Athletes are vulnerable to musculoskeletal injuries and psychiatric conditions. Previous studies have reported the benefits of yoga on cognitive functions among healthy children, adults, and the elderly. This pilot study aimed to test the neurocognitive functions among athletes with/without yoga intervention.

METHODS

A non-randomized, two-armed parallel-group, single-blind comparative trial was used. The participants were grouped into (i) yoga with sports activity (YSA, n = 15) and (ii) sports activity alone (SA, n = 14). The subjects were assessed at the baseline and after a one-month intervention using digit span forward (DSF), digit span backward (DSB), Trail Making Test (TMT) A & B, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). A comprehensive one-hour yoga training three days a week for two months constitutes selected asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), relaxation techniques, and meditation techniques. The control group constitutes the routine sports activity for the same period.

RESULTS

A paired sample t-test showed a significant improvement in cognitive performance on TMT A & B duration and RAVLT total score in the YSA group compared with the SA group. However, a significant trend was observed for DSF, DSB, and RAVLT immediate recall. Independent sample t-test (pre-post change scores) showed no significant group difference in cognitive performance, except there was a significant trend observed related to DSF (p = 0.053) and RAVLT distraction (p = 0.09), where the yoga group showed better performance in cognitive functions.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that yoga may be integrated with sports to enhance neurocognitive functions.

How Discrimination Gets Under the Skin: Biological Determinants of Discrimination Associated With Dysregulation of the Brain-Gut Microbiome System and Psychological Symptoms

BACKGROUND

Discrimination is associated with negative health outcomes as mediated in part by chronic stress, but a full understanding of the biological pathways is lacking. Here we investigate the effects of discrimination involved in dysregulating the brain-gut microbiome (BGM) system.

METHODS

A total of 154 participants underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging to measure functional connectivity. Fecal samples were obtained for 16S ribosomal RNA profiling and fecal metabolites and serum for inflammatory markers, along with questionnaires. The Everyday Discrimination Scale was administered to measure chronic and routine experiences of unfair treatment. A sparse partial least squares-discriminant analysis was conducted to predict BGM alterations as a function of discrimination, controlling for sex, age, body mass index, and diet. Associations between discrimination-related BGM alterations and psychological variables were assessed using a tripartite analysis.

RESULTS

Discrimination was associated with anxiety, depression, and visceral sensitivity. Discrimination was associated with alterations of brain networks related to emotion, cognition and self-perception, and structural and functional changes in the gut microbiome. BGM discrimination-related associations varied by race/ethnicity. Among Black and Hispanic individuals, discrimination led to brain network changes consistent with psychological coping and increased systemic inflammation. For White individuals, discrimination was related to anxiety but not inflammation, while for Asian individuals, the patterns suggest possible somatization and behavioral (e.g., dietary) responses to discrimination.

CONCLUSIONS

Discrimination is attributed to changes in the BGM system more skewed toward inflammation, threat response, emotional arousal, and psychological symptoms. By integrating diverse lines of research, our results demonstrate evidence that may explain how discrimination contributes to health inequalities.

Three potential neurovascular pathways driving the benefits of mindfulness meditation for older adults

Mindfulness meditation has been shown to be beneficial for a range of different health conditions, impacts brain function and structure relatively quickly, and has shown promise with aging samples. Functional magnetic resonance imaging metrics provide insight into neurovascular health which plays a key role in both normal and pathological aging processes. Experimental mindfulness meditation studies that included functional magnetic resonance metrics as an outcome measure may point to potential neurovascular mechanisms of action relevant for aging adults that have not yet been previously examined. We first review the resting-state magnetic resonance studies conducted in exclusively older adult age samples. Findings from older adult-only samples are then used to frame the findings of task magnetic resonance imaging studies conducted in both clinical and healthy adult samples. Based on the resting-state studies in older adults and the task magnetic resonance studies in adult samples, we propose three potential mechanisms by which mindfulness meditation may offer a neurovascular therapeutic benefit for older adults: (1) a direct neurovascular mechanism via increased resting-state cerebral blood flow; (2) an indirect anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism via increased functional connectivity within the default mode network, and (3) a top-down control mechanism that likely reflects both a direct and an indirect neurovascular pathway.

The thalamocortical inhibitory network controls human conscious perception

Although conscious perception is a fundamental cognitive function, its neural correlates remain unclear. It remains debatable whether thalamocortical interactions play a decisive role in conscious perception. To clarify this, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) where flickering red and green visual cues could be perceived either as a non-fused colour or fused colour. Here we show significantly differentiated fMRI neurodynamics only in higher-order thalamocortical regions, compared with first-order thalamocortical regions. Anticorrelated neurodynamic behaviours were observed between the visual stream network and default-mode network. Its dynamic causal modelling consistently provided compelling evidence for the involvement of higher-order thalamocortical iterative integration during conscious perception of fused colour, while inhibitory control was revealed during the non-fusion condition. Taken together with our recent magnetoencephalography study, our fMRI findings corroborate a thalamocortical inhibitory model for consciousness, where both thalamic inhibitory regulation and integrative signal iterations across higher-order thalamocortical regions are essential for conscious perception.

Neural Mechanisms and Psychology of Psychedelic Ego Dissolution

Neuroimaging studies of psychedelics have advanced our understanding of hierarchical brain organization and the mechanisms underlying their subjective and therapeutic effects. The primary mechanism of action of classic psychedelics is binding to serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors. Agonist activity at these receptors leads to neuromodulatory changes in synaptic efficacy that can have a profound effect on hierarchical message-passing in the brain. Here, we review the cognitive and neuroimaging evidence for the effects of psychedelics: in particular, their influence on selfhood and subject-object boundaries-known as ego dissolution-surmised to underwrite their subjective and therapeutic effects. Agonism of 5-HT2A receptors, located at the apex of the cortical hierarchy, may have a particularly powerful effect on sentience and consciousness. These effects can endure well after the pharmacological half-life, suggesting that psychedelics may have effects on neural plasticity that may play a role in their therapeutic efficacy. Psychologically, this may be accompanied by a disarming of ego resistance that increases the repertoire of perceptual hypotheses and affords alternate pathways for thought and behavior, including those that undergird selfhood. We consider the interaction between serotonergic neuromodulation and sentience through the lens of hierarchical predictive coding, which speaks to the value of psychedelics in understanding how we make sense of the world and specific predictions about effective connectivity in cortical hierarchies that can be tested using functional neuroimaging. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Classic psychedelics bind to serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors. Their agonist activity at these receptors leads to neuromodulatory changes in synaptic efficacy, resulting in a profound effect on information processing in the brain. Here, we synthesize an abundance of brain imaging research with pharmacological and psychological interpretations informed by the framework of predictive coding. Moreover, predictive coding is suggested to offer more sophisticated interpretations of neuroimaging findings by bridging the role between the 5-HT2A receptors and large-scale brain networks.

Psychedelics and mindfulness: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and aims

The benefits of classic serotonergic psychedelics (e.g. psilocybin, LSD, DMT, ayahuasca) are becoming more widely known with the resurgence in research in the past decade. Furthermore, the benefits of mindfulness are well documented. However, no systematic reviews have examined linkage of mindfulness and psychedelics use. The aim of this systematic review is to explore the link between psychedelics and characteristics of mindfulness.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search across multiple databases, inclusive of grey literature and backwards/forward-citation tracking, on the 18 January 2021. The search strategy included terms relating to mindfulness and psychedelics, with no restriction on clinical or non-clinical conditions. Study quality was assessed. An exploratory random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on pre-post mindfulness data relative to psychedelic ingestion.

Results

Of 1805 studies screened, 13 were included in the systematic review. There was substantial variability in participant characteristics, psychedelic administration method and measurement of mindfulness. The ingestion of psychedelics is associated with an increase in mindfulness, specifically relating to domains of acceptance, which encompasses non-judgement of inner experience and non-reactivity. The meta-analysis of a subset of studies (N = 6) showed small effects overall relative to ayahuasca ingestion, increasing mindfulness facets of non-judgement of inner experience and non-reactivity, as well as acting with awareness.

Conclusions

Further methodologically robust research is needed to elucidate the relationship between psychedelics and mindfulness. However, mindfulness and specific facets relating to acceptance have been shown to increase following ingestion of psychedelics in a number of studies.

Estrogen, Cognitive Performance, and Functional Imaging Studies: What Are We Missing About Neuroprotection?

Menopause transition can be interpreted as a vulnerable state characterized by estrogen deficiency with detrimental systemic effects as the low-grade chronic inflammation that appears with aging and partly explains age-related disorders as cancer, diabetes mellitus and increased risk of cognitive impairment. Over the course of a lifetime, estrogen produces several beneficial effects in healthy neurological tissues as well as cardioprotective effects, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, clinical evidence on the efficacy of hormone treatment in menopausal women has failed to confirm the benefit reported in observational studies. Unambiguously, enhanced verbal memory is the most robust finding from longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, what merits consideration for future studies aiming to determine estrogen neuroprotective efficacy. Estrogen related brain activity and functional connectivity remain, however, unexplored. In this context, the resting state paradigm may provide valuable information about reproductive aging and hormonal treatment effects, and their relationship with brain imaging of functional connectivity may be key to understand and anticipate estrogen cognitive protective effects. To go in-depth into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying rapid-to-long lasting protective effects of estrogen, we will provide a comprehensive review of cognitive tasks used in animal studies to evaluate the effect of hormone treatment on cognitive performance and discuss about the tasks best suited to the demonstration of clinically significant differences in cognitive performance to be applied in human studies. Eventually, we will focus on studies evaluating the DMN activity and responsiveness to pharmacological stimulation in humans.

The Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) on Cognition in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

Cognitive impairment, defined as a decline in memory and executive function, is one of the most severe complications of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Patients with TBI are often unable to return to work due to cognitive impairment and their overall quality of life is reduced. TBI can bring a serious economic burden to patient's families and to society. Reported findings on the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in improving cognitive impairment following TBI are inconsistent. The purpose of the proposed study is to investigate whether rTMS can improve memory and executive function in patients with TBI. Herein, we propose a prospective randomized placebo-controlled (rTMS, sham rTMS, cognitive training), parallel-group, single-center trial. 36 participants with a TBI occurring at least 6 months prior will be recruited from an inpatient rehabilitation center. Participants will be randomly assigned to the real rTMS, sham rTMS, or cognitive training groups with a ratio of 1:1:1. A 20-session transcranial magnetic stimulation protocol will be applied to the left and right dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC) at frequencies of 10 Hz and 1 Hz, respectively. Neuropsychological assessments will be performed at four time points: baseline, after the 10th rTMS session, after the 20th rTMS session, and 30 days post-intervention. The primary outcome is change in executive function assessed using the Shape Trail Test (STT). The secondary outcome measures are measures from neuropsychological tests: the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT), the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test (BVMT), the Digit Span Test (DST). We report on positive preliminary results in terms of improving memory and executive function as well as beneficial changes in brain connectivity among TBI patients undergoing rTMS and hypothesize that we will obtain similar results in the proposed study.

Psychobiological mechanisms underlying the mood benefits of meditation: A narrative review

Psychological stressors can lead to distress and result in autonomic arousal and activation of a stress response. Ongoing or persistent stress can disrupt the stress response feedback mechanisms and result in elevated cortisol and pro-inflammatory cytokines which can cause damage to brain regions involved in the regulation of mood and emotion. We propose that the magnitude of the stress response experienced in response to psychological stressors depends on a number of modifiable psychological processes including an individual’s level of self-compassion, dispositional mindfulness, tendency to ruminate and attentional bias. We further propose that the stress response elected by psychological stressors can be meditated by influencing these modifiable psychological processes, and that meditation practices can decrease stress and improve mood by decreasing stress reactivity on a psychological, physiological and neurobiological level. We explore this in a narrative review.

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Meditation decreases blood pressure, heart rate, cortisol and cytokine levels.

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Meditation increases self-compassion, dispositional mindfulness and meta-cognition.

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Meditation improves attention and memory.

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Meditation results in brain changes in regions related to emotion regulation.

Attention and Default Mode Network Assessments of Meditation Experience during Active Cognition and Rest

Meditation experience has previously been shown to improve performance on behavioral assessments of attention, but the neural bases of this improvement are unknown. Two prominent, strongly competing networks exist in the human cortex: a dorsal attention network, that is activated during focused attention, and a default mode network, that is suppressed during attentionally demanding tasks. Prior studies suggest that strong anti-correlations between these networks indicate good brain health. In addition, a third network, a ventral attention network, serves as a "circuit-breaker" that transiently disrupts and redirects focused attention to permit salient stimuli to capture attention. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to contrast cortical network activation between experienced focused attention Vipassana meditators and matched controls. Participants performed two attention tasks during scanning: a sustained attention task and an attention-capture task. Meditators demonstrated increased magnitude of differential activation in the dorsal attention vs. default mode network in a sustained attention task, relative to controls. In contrast, there were no evident attention network differences between meditators and controls in an attentional reorienting paradigm. A resting state functional connectivity analysis revealed a greater magnitude of anticorrelation between dorsal attention and default mode networks in the meditators as compared to both our local control group and a n = 168 Human Connectome Project dataset. These results demonstrate, with both task- and rest-based fMRI data, increased stability in sustained attention processes without an associated attentional capture cost in meditators. Task and resting-state results, which revealed stronger anticorrelations between dorsal attention and default mode networks in experienced mediators than in controls, are consistent with a brain health benefit of long-term meditation practice.

From Evaluation to Prediction: Behavioral Effects and Biological Markers of Cognitive Control Intervention

Although the intervention effectiveness of cognitive control is disputed, some methods, such as single-task training, integrated training, meditation, aerobic exercise, and transcranial stimulation, have been reported to improve cognitive control. This review of recent advances from evaluation to prediction of cognitive control interventions suggests that brain modularity may be an important candidate marker for informing clinical decisions regarding suitable interventions. The intervention effect of cognitive control has been evaluated by behavioral performance, transfer effect, brain structure and function, and brain networks. Brain modularity can predict the benefits of cognitive control interventions based on individual differences and is independent of intervention method, group, age, initial cognitive ability, and education level. The prediction of cognitive control intervention based on brain modularity should extend to task states, combine function and structure networks, and assign different weights to subnetwork modularity.