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Kurth F, Strohmaier S, Luders E. Reduced Age-Related Gray Matter Loss in the Orbitofrontal Cortex in Long-Term Meditators. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1677. [PMID: 38137125 PMCID: PMC10741700 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a functionally heterogeneous brain region contributing to mental processes relating to meditation practices. The OFC has been reported to decline in volume with increasing age and differs in volume between meditation practitioners and non-practitioners. We hypothesized that the age-related decline of the OFC is diminished in meditation practitioners. We tested this hypothesis in a sample of 50 long-term meditators and 50 matched controls by correlating chronological age with regional gray matter volumes of the left and right OFC, as well as in seven left and right cytoarchitectonically defined subregions of the OFC (Fo1-Fo7). In both meditators and controls, we observed a negative relationship between age and OFC (sub)volumes, indicating that older participants have smaller OFC volumes. However, in meditators, the age-related decline was less steep compared to controls. These age-related differences reached significance for left and right Fo2, Fo3, Fo4, and Fo7, as well as left Fo5 and right Fo6. Since different subregions of the OFC are associated with distinct brain functions, further investigations are required to explore the functional implications of these findings in the context of meditation and the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kurth
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Strohmaier
- Psychology Discipline, Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC 3011, Australia
| | - Eileen Luders
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
- Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
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2
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Feusner JD, Kurth F, Luders E, Ly R, Wong WW. Cytoarchitectonically Defined Volumes of Early Extrastriate Visual Cortex in Unmedicated Adults With Body Dysmorphic Disorder. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2023; 8:909-917. [PMID: 34688924 PMCID: PMC9037993 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2021.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) misperceive that they have prominent defects in their appearance, resulting in preoccupations, time-consuming rituals, and distress. Previous neuroimaging studies have found abnormal activation patterns in the extrastriate visual cortex, which may underlie experiences of distorted perception of appearance. Correspondingly, we investigated gray matter volumes in individuals with BDD in the early extrastriate visual cortex using cytoarchitectonically defined maps that were previously derived from postmortem brains. METHODS We analyzed T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data from 133 unmedicated male and female participants (BDD: n = 65; healthy control subjects: n = 68). We used cytoarchitectonically defined probability maps for the early extrastriate cortex, consisting of areas corresponding to V2, V3d, V3v/VP, V3a, and V4v. Gray matter volumes were compared between groups, supplemented by testing associations with clinical symptoms. RESULTS The BDD group exhibited significantly larger gray matter volumes in the left and right early extrastriate cortex. Region-specific follow-up analyses revealed multiple subregions showing larger volumes in BDD, significant in the left V4v. There were no significant associations after corrections for multiple comparisons between gray matter volumes in early extrastriate cortex and BDD symptoms, comorbid symptoms, or duration of illness. CONCLUSIONS Greater volumes of the early extrastriate visual cortex were evident in those with BDD, which aligns with outcomes of prior studies revealing BDD-specific functional abnormalities in these regions. Enlarged volumes of the extrastriate cortex in BDD might manifest during neurodevelopment, which could predispose individuals to aberrant visual perception and contribute to the core phenotype of distortion of perception for appearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie D Feusner
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
| | - Florian Kurth
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Eileen Luders
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California; School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ronald Ly
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Wan-Wa Wong
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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3
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Pommy J, Smart CM, Bryant AM, Wang Y. Three potential neurovascular pathways driving the benefits of mindfulness meditation for older adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1207012. [PMID: 37455940 PMCID: PMC10340530 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1207012] [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: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pommy
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropsychology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Colette M. Smart
- Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Andrew M. Bryant
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuropsychology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
- Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
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Kurth F, Zsadanyi SE, Luders E. Reduced age-related gray matter loss in the subgenual cingulate cortex in long-term meditators. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:2824-2832. [PMID: 34686969 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that meditation practices have positive effects on brain ageing overall. The cingulate is known to be recruited during meditation, but research into possible effects of meditation on the ageing of the cingulate is currently missing. Thus, the present study was designed to help close this knowledge gap, with particular focus on the subgenual cingulate, a region involved in emotional regulation and autonomic and endocrine functions, making it potentially relevant for meditation. Here, we investigated differences in age-related gray matter loss between 50 long-term meditation practitioners (28 male, 22 female), aged between 24 and 77, and 50 age- and sex-matched controls. Areas of interest were four subregions of the subgenual cingulate gyrus (areas 25, 33, s24, and s32) defined as per the Julich-Brain atlas. Our study revealed a significant age-related decline in all subregions in both meditators and controls, but with significantly lower rates of annual tissue loss in meditators, specifically in left and right area s32 and right area 25. These regions have been shown to play a role in mood regulation, autonomic processing, and the integration of emotion and cognitive processes, which are all involved in and impacted by meditation. Overall, the results add further evidence to the emerging notion that meditation may slow the effects of ageing on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kurth
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.
| | - Sára E Zsadanyi
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand
| | - Eileen Luders
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand.,Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
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Wibawa P, Kurth F, Luders E, Pantelis C, Cropley VL, Di Biase MA, Velakoulis D, Walterfang M. Differential involvement of hippocampal subfields in Niemann-Pick type C disease: a case-control study. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:2071-2078. [PMID: 34146215 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00782-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal brain regions are strongly implicated in Niemann Pick type C disease (NPC), but little is known regarding distinct subregions of the hippocampal complex and whether these are equally or differentially affected. To address this gap, we compared volumes of five hippocampal subfields between NPC and healthy individuals using MRI. To this end, 9 adult-onset NPC cases and 9 age- and gender-matched controls underwent a 3 T T1-weighted MRI scan. Gray matter volumes of the cornu ammonis (CA1, CA2 and CA3), dentate gyrus (DG), subiculum, entorhinal cortex and hippocampal-amygdalar transition area were calculated by integrating MRI-based image intensities with microscopically defined cytoarchitectonic probabilities. Compared to healthy controls, NPC patients showed smaller volumes of the CA1-3 and DG regions bilaterally, with the greatest difference localized to the left DG (Cohen's d = 1.993, p = 0.008). No significant associations were shown between hippocampal subfield volumes and key clinical features of NPC, including disease duration, symptom severity and psychosis. The pattern of hippocampal subregional atrophy in NPC differs from those seen in other dementias, which may indicate unique cytoarchitectural vulnerabilities in this earlier-onset disorder. Future MRI studies of hippocampal subfields may clarify its potential as a biomarker of neurodegeneration in NPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Wibawa
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
- Neuropsychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Florian Kurth
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Eileen Luders
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christos Pantelis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vanessa L Cropley
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maria A Di Biase
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Velakoulis
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neuropsychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark Walterfang
- Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Neuropsychiatry, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Hüttenrauch M, Lopez-Noguerola JS, Castro-Obregón S. Connecting Mind-Body Therapy-Mediated Effects to Pathological Features of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:S65-S90. [PMID: 33044183 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder that represents a major and increasing global health challenge. In most cases, the first clinical symptoms of AD are preceded by neuropathological changes in the brain that develop years to decades before their onset. Therefore, research in the last years has focused on this preclinical stage of AD trying to discover intervention strategies that might, if implemented effectively, delay or prevent disease progression. Among those strategies, mind-body therapies such as yoga and meditation have gained increasing interest as complementary alternative interventions. Several studies have reported a positive impact of yoga and meditation on brain health in both healthy older adults and dementia patients. However, the underlying neurobiological mechanisms contributing to these effects are currently not known in detail. More specifically, it is not known whether yogic interventions, directly or indirectly, can modulate risk factors or pathological mechanisms involved in the development of dementia. In this article, we first review the literature on the effects of yogic practices on outcomes such as cognitive functioning and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Then, we analyze how yogic interventions affect different risk factors as well as aspects of AD pathophysiology based on observations of studies in healthy individuals or subjects with other conditions than dementia. Finally, we integrate this evidence and propose possible mechanisms that might explain the positive effects of yogic interventions in cognitively impaired individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Hüttenrauch
- División de Neurosciencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México
| | - José Sócrates Lopez-Noguerola
- Área Académica de Gerontología, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Pachuca de Soto, México
| | - Susana Castro-Obregón
- División de Neurosciencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México, México
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Pernet CR, Belov N, Delorme A, Zammit A. Mindfulness related changes in grey matter: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:2720-2730. [PMID: 33624219 PMCID: PMC8500886 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00453-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Knowing target regions undergoing strfuncti changes caused by behavioural interventions is paramount in evaluating the effectiveness of such practices. Here, using a systematic review approach, we identified 25 peer-reviewed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrating grey matter changes related to mindfulness meditation. An activation likelihood estimation (ALE) analysis (n = 16) revealed the right anterior ventral insula as the only significant region with consistent effect across studies, whilst an additional functional connectivity analysis indicates that both left and right insulae, and the anterior cingulate gyrus with adjacent paracingulate gyri should also be considered in future studies. Statistical meta-analyses suggest medium to strong effect sizes from Cohen’s d ~ 0.8 in the right insula to ~ 1 using maxima across the whole brain. The systematic review revealed design issues with selection, information, attrition and confirmation biases, in addition to weak statistical power. In conclusion, our analyses show that mindfulness meditation practice does induce grey matter changes but also that improvements in methodology are needed to establish mindfulness as a therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril R Pernet
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Nikolai Belov
- Department of Psychology, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Arnaud Delorme
- CerCo, CNRS, Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France.,SCCN, INC, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alison Zammit
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh Imaging, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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8
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Alexander R, Aragón OR, Bookwala J, Cherbuin N, Gatt JM, Kahrilas IJ, Kästner N, Lawrence A, Lowe L, Morrison RG, Mueller SC, Nusslock R, Papadelis C, Polnaszek KL, Helene Richter S, Silton RL, Styliadis C. The neuroscience of positive emotions and affect: Implications for cultivating happiness and wellbeing. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 121:220-249. [PMID: 33307046 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
This review paper provides an integrative account regarding neurophysiological correlates of positive emotions and affect that cumulatively contribute to the scaffolding for happiness and wellbeing in humans and other animals. This paper reviews the associations among neurotransmitters, hormones, brain networks, and cognitive functions in the context of positive emotions and affect. Consideration of lifespan developmental perspectives are incorporated, and we also examine the impact of healthy social relationships and environmental contexts on the modulation of positive emotions and affect. The neurophysiological processes that implement positive emotions are dynamic and modifiable, and meditative practices as well as flow states that change patterns of brain function and ultimately support wellbeing are also discussed. This review is part of "The Human Affectome Project" (http://neuroqualia.org/background.php), and in order to advance a primary aim of the Human Affectome Project, we also reviewed relevant linguistic dimensions and terminology that characterizes positive emotions and wellbeing. These linguistic dimensions are discussed within the context of the neuroscience literature with the overarching goal of generating novel recommendations for advancing neuroscience research on positive emotions and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Alexander
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia; Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Oriana R Aragón
- Yale University, 2 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; Clemson University, 252 Sirrine Hall, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Jamila Bookwala
- Department of Psychology and Program in Aging Studies, Lafayette College, 730 High Road, Easton, PA, USA
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health, and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - Justine M Gatt
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia; School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, NSW, 2031, Australia
| | - Ian J Kahrilas
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - Niklas Kästner
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestraße 13, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Alistair Lawrence
- Scotland's Rural College, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom; The Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - Leroy Lowe
- Neuroqualia (NGO), Truro, NS, B2N 1X5, Canada
| | - Robert G Morrison
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - Sven C Mueller
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Personality, Psychological Assessment and Treatment, University of Deusto, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Robin Nusslock
- Department of Psychology and Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Christos Papadelis
- Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center, Cook Children's Health Care System, 1500 Cooper St, Fort Worth, TX, 76104, USA; Laboratory of Children's Brain Dynamics, Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kelly L Polnaszek
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestraße 13, 48149, Münster, Germany
| | - Rebecca L Silton
- Department of Psychology, Loyola University Chicago, 1032 W. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL, 60660, USA; Institute for Innovations in Developmental Sciences, Northwestern University, 633 N. Saint Clair, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
| | - Charis Styliadis
- Neuroscience of Cognition and Affection group, Lab of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, 54124, Greece
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Sikkes SA, Tang Y, Jutten RJ, Wesselman LM, Turkstra LS, Brodaty H, Clare L, Cassidy-Eagle E, Cox KL, Chételat G, Dautricourt S, Dhana K, Dodge H, Dröes RM, Hampstead BM, Holland T, Lampit A, Laver K, Lutz A, Lautenschlager NT, McCurry SM, Meiland FJM, Morris MC, Mueller KD, Peters R, Ridel G, Spector A, van der Steen JT, Tamplin J, Thompson Z, Bahar-Fuchs A. Toward a theory-based specification of non-pharmacological treatments in aging and dementia: Focused reviews and methodological recommendations. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 17:255-270. [PMID: 33215876 PMCID: PMC7970750 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-pharmacological treatments (NPTs) have the potential to improve meaningful outcomes for older people at risk of, or living with dementia, but research often lacks methodological rigor and continues to produce mixed results. METHODS In the current position paper, experts in NPT research have specified treatment targets, aims, and ingredients using an umbrella framework, the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System. RESULTS Experts provided a snapshot and an authoritative summary of the evidence for different NPTs based on the best synthesis efforts, identified main gaps in knowledge and relevant barriers, and provided directions for future research. Experts in trial methodology provide best practice principles and recommendations for those working in this area, underscoring the importance of prespecified protocols. DISCUSSION We conclude that the evidence strongly supports various NPTs in relation to their primary targets, and discuss opportunities and challenges associated with a unifying theoretical framework to guide future efforts in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sietske A.M. Sikkes
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yi Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Roos J. Jutten
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Linda M.P. Wesselman
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Clinical, Neuro- and Developmental Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lyn S. Turkstra
- School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Henry Brodaty
- Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing and Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration, School of Psychiatry, UNSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Linda Clare
- Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Erin Cassidy-Eagle
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kay L. Cox
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Gaël Chételat
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders,”Institut Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie, Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Sophie Dautricourt
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, INSERM, U1237, PhIND “Physiopathology and Imaging of Neurological Disorders,”Institut Blood and Brain @ Caen-Normandie, Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Klodian Dhana
- Section on Nutrition and Nutritional Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Hiroko Dodge
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan,Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rose-Marie Dröes
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Benjamin M. Hampstead
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan and VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Thomas Holland
- Section on Nutrition and Nutritional Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amit Lampit
- Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate Laver
- Department of Rehabilitation, Aged and Extended Care, College of Medicine and Public Health Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Antoine Lutz
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Nicola T. Lautenschlager
- Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- NorthWestern Mental Health, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Susan M. McCurry
- Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Franka J. M. Meiland
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam University Medical Center, VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martha Clare Morris
- Section on Nutrition and Nutritional Epidemiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Kimberly D. Mueller
- Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ruth Peters
- Department of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Randwick, Sydney, Australia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Aimee Spector
- Department of Clinical, Educational & Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jenny T. van der Steen
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jeanette Tamplin
- Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zara Thompson
- Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alex Bahar-Fuchs
- Academic Unit for Psychiatry of Old Age, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health, and Wellbeing, Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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10
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Marciniak R, Šumec R, Vyhnálek M, Bendíčková K, Lázničková P, Forte G, Jeleník A, Římalová V, Frič J, Hort J, Sheardová K. The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on Depression, Cognition, and Immunity in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Pilot Feasibility Study. Clin Interv Aging 2020; 15:1365-1381. [PMID: 32848377 PMCID: PMC7429186 DOI: 10.2147/cia.s249196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mindfulness-based programs have shown a promising effect on several health factors associated with increased risk of dementia and the conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia such as depression, stress, cognitive decline, immune system and brain structural and functional changes. Studies on mindfulness in MCI subjects are sparse and frequently lack control intervention groups. OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility and the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) practice on depression, cognition and immunity in MCI compared to cognitive training. METHODS Twenty-eight MCI subjects were randomly assigned to two groups. MBSR group underwent 8-week MBSR program. Control group underwent 8-week cognitive training. Their cognitive and immunological profiles and level of depressive symptoms were examined at baseline, after each 8-week intervention (visit 2, V2) and six months after each intervention (visit 3, V3). MBSR participants completed feasibility questionnaire at V2. RESULTS Twenty MCI patients completed the study (MBSR group n=12, control group n=8). MBSR group showed significant reduction in depressive symptoms at both V2 (p=0.03) and V3 (p=0.0461) compared to the baseline. There was a minimal effect on cognition - a group comparison analysis showed better psychomotor speed in the MBSR group compared to the control group at V2 (p=0.0493) but not at V3. There was a detectable change in immunological profiles in both groups, more pronounced in the MBSR group. Participants checked only positive/neutral answers concerning the attractivity/length of MBSR intervention. More severe cognitive decline (PVLT≤36) was associated with the lower adherence to home practice. CONCLUSION MBSR is well-accepted potentially promising intervention with positive effect on cognition, depressive symptoms and immunological profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Marciniak
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Rastislav Šumec
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Psychology and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Vyhnálek
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kamila Bendíčková
- Center of Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Lázničková
- Center of Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Giancarlo Forte
- Center of Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Andrej Jeleník
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Římalová
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Mathematical Analysis and Applications of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Frič
- Center of Translational Medicine, International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jakub Hort
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kateřina Sheardová
- International Clinical Research Center (ICRC), St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
- First Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University and St. Anne’s University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic
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11
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Kurth F, Cherbuin N, Luders E. Speaking of aging: Changes in gray matter asymmetry in Broca's area in later adulthood. Cortex 2020; 129:133-140. [PMID: 32450330 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2020.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Several theories suggest a change in the brain's asymmetry as we get older. However, it is currently unresolved whether Broca's area, consisting of left Brodmann Areas (BA) 45 and 44, undergoes age-related changes. To address this question, we mapped associations between chronological age and gray matter asymmetry of BA45 and BA44 in a large sample (n = 485) of adults ranging between 42 and 97 years of age. Hemisphere-specific gray matter volumes and asymmetry indices were obtained by integrating cytoarchitectonic probabilities with MRI-based signal intensities. For BA44, we did not observe any significant correlation between age and gray matter asymmetry. In contrast, for BA45, the analysis revealed a significant correlation, which indicates a decreasing asymmetry from rightward to less rightward with increasing age. A subsequent characterization of hemisphere-specific volume loss revealed significant negative associations between age and gray matter volume for left and right BA45, but with weaker effects in the left hemisphere compared to the right. These findings seem to support the assumption of reduced structural asymmetries later in life, at least for BA45, which seem to be driven by a stronger tissue loss in the right hemisphere than the left hemisphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kurth
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- Centre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Eileen Luders
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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12
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Shah M, Kurth F, Luders E. The impact of aging on the subregions of the fusiform gyrus in healthy older adults. J Neurosci Res 2020; 99:263-270. [PMID: 32147882 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The fusiform gyrus is known to decrease in size with increasing age. However, reported findings are inconsistent and existing studies differ in terms of the cohorts examined and/or the methods applied. Here, we analyzed age-related links in four distinct subregions of the fusiform gyrus through integrating imaging-based intensity information with microscopically defined cytoarchitectonic probabilities. In addition to age effects we investigated sex effects as well as age-by-sex interactions in a relatively large sample of 468 healthy subjects (272 females/196 males) covering a broad age range (42-97 years). We observed significant negative correlations between age and all four subregions of the fusiform gyrus indicating volume decreases over time, albeit with subregion-specific trajectories. Additionally, we observed significant negative quadratic associations with age for some subregions, suggesting an accelerating volume loss over time. These findings may serve as a frame of reference for future cross-sectional as well as longitudinal studies, not only for normative samples but also potentially for clinical conditions that present with abnormal atrophy of the fusiform gyrus. We did not detect any significant sex differences or sex-by-age interactions, suggesting that the size of the fusiform gyrus is similar in male and female brains and that age-related atrophy follows a similar trajectory in both men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahima Shah
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Florian Kurth
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Eileen Luders
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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13
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Peckham SB, Ionson E, Nassim M, Ojha K, Palaniyappan L, Gati J, Thebérge J, Lazosky A, Speechley M, Barušs I, Rej S, Vasudev A. Sahaj Samadhi meditation vs a Health Enhancement Program in improving late-life depression severity and executive function: study protocol for a two-site, randomized controlled trial. Trials 2019; 20:605. [PMID: 31651355 PMCID: PMC6814044 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-3682-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Recent estimates suggest an 11% prevalence of current late-life depression (LLD) and a lifetime prevalence of 16–20%. LLD leads to cognitive disturbance as well as a nearly two to three times increased risk of dementia. We conducted a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) which demonstrated that Sahaj Samadhi meditation (SSM), an easy-to-implement, meditation-based augmentation strategy, led to higher rates of symptom remission when compared to treatment as usual (40.0 vs 16.3%; odds ratio, 3.36; 95% CI 1.06–10.64; p = 0.040). Here we present a protocol describing a two-site, blinded, RCT, comparing an SSM arm to an active-control arm – a Health Enhancement Program (HEP) intervention – in their ability to reduce depressive symptoms and improve executive functioning, among several other exploratory outcomes. Methods/design One hundred and ninety-two (n = 192) participants with LLD will be recruited at two sites (London, ON, Canada, and Montreal, QC, Canada). Participants will undergo stratified randomization with regards to site and the presence of treatment-resistant-LLD (TR-LLD) or not, to either SSM or HEP. We will assess change in (1) depression severity using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), (2) executive functioning, and (3) other exploratory physiological and mood-based measures, at baseline (0 weeks), post intervention (12 weeks), and 26 weeks after baseline. Raters, clinicians, and care providers will be blinded to group allocation while participants will be blinded to the study hypotheses. Discussion This study should more definitively assess whether SSM can be used as an augmentation strategy in routine clinical care for patients suffering from LLD and TR-LLD. If the effects of SSM are significantly better than HEP, it will offer support for the routine use of this intervention to manage LLD/TR-LLD and comorbid declines in executive dysfunction. The results of this study could also inform whether SSM can improve/prevent cognitive decline in LLD. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03564041. Registered on 20 June 2018.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Benjamin Peckham
- Geriatric Mood Disorders Laboratory, Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Emily Ionson
- Geriatric Mood Disorders Laboratory, Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Marouane Nassim
- McGill Meditation and Mind-Body Medicine Research Clinic (MMMM-RC), Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Geri-PARTy Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Lena Palaniyappan
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Joe Gati
- Robarts Research Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jean Thebérge
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Imaging Division, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics and Medical Imaging, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada
| | - Andrea Lazosky
- London Health Sciences Centre, #A2-607, Victoria Hospital, LHSC, 800 Commissioners Road East, N6A 5W9, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mark Speechley
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Schulich Interfaculty Program in Public Health, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Imants Barušs
- Department of Psychology, King's University College, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Soham Rej
- McGill Meditation and Mind-Body Medicine Research Clinic (MMMM-RC), Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada.,Geri-PARTy Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Akshya Vasudev
- Geriatric Mood Disorders Laboratory, Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada. .,London Health Sciences Centre, #A2-607, Victoria Hospital, LHSC, 800 Commissioners Road East, N6A 5W9, London, ON, Canada.
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14
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Millon EM, Shors TJ. Taking neurogenesis out of the lab and into the world with MAP Train My Brain™. Behav Brain Res 2019; 376:112154. [PMID: 31421141 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus was rediscovered in the 1990's after being reported in the 1960's. Since then, thousands upon thousands of laboratories have reported on the characteristics and presumed functional significance of new neurons in the adult brain. In 1999, we reported that mental training with effortful learning could extend the survival of these new cells and in the same year, others reported that physical training with exercise could increase their proliferation. Based on these studies and others, we developed MAP Train My Brain™, which is a brain fitness program for humans. The program combines mental and physical (MAP) training through 30-min of effortful meditation followed by 30-min of aerobic exercise. This program, when practiced twice a week for eight weeks reduced depressive symptoms and ruminative thoughts in men and women with major depressive disorder (MDD) while increasing synchronized brain activity during cognitive control. It also reduced anxiety and depression and increased oxygen consumption in young mothers who had been homeless. Moreover, engaging in the program reduced trauma-related cognitions and ruminative thoughts while increasing self-worth in adult women with a history of sexual trauma. And finally, the combination of mental and physical training together was more effective than either activity alone. Albeit effortful, this program does not require inordinate amounts of time or money to practice and can be easily adopted into everyday life. MAP Training exemplifies how we as neuroscientists can take discoveries made in the laboratory out into the world for the benefit of others.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Millon
- Department of Psychology and Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA
| | - Tracey J Shors
- Department of Psychology and Center for Collaborative Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA.
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15
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Dissociable age and memory relationships with hippocampal subfield volumes in vivo:Data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA). Sci Rep 2019; 9:10981. [PMID: 31358771 PMCID: PMC6662668 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46481-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The heterogeneous specialisation of hippocampal subfields across memory functions has been widely shown in animal models. Yet, few in vivo studies in humans have explored correspondence between hippocampal subfield anatomy and memory performance in ageing. Here, we used a well-validated automated MR segmentation protocol to measure hippocampal subfield volumes in 436 non-demented adults aged 50+. We explored relationships between hippocampal subfield volume and verbal episodic memory, as indexed by word list recall at immediate presentation and following delay. In separate multilevel models for each task, we tested linearity and non-linearity of associations between recall performance and subfield volume. Fully-adjusted models revealed that immediate and delayed recall were both associated with cubic fits with respect to volume of subfields CA1, CA2/3, CA4, molecular layer, and granule cell layer of dentate gyrus; moreover, these effects were partly dissociable from quadratic age trends, observed for subiculum, molecular layer, hippocampal tail, and CA1. Furthermore, analyses of semantic fluency data revealed little evidence of robust associations with hippocampal subfield volumes. Our results show that specific hippocampal subfields manifest associations with memory encoding and retrieval performance in non-demented older adults; these effects are partly dissociable from age-related atrophy, and from retrieval of well-consolidated semantic categories.
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16
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Sherzai D, Sherzai A. Preventing Alzheimer's: Our Most Urgent Health Care Priority. Am J Lifestyle Med 2019; 13:451-461. [PMID: 31523210 DOI: 10.1177/1559827619843465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Dementia is the fastest growing epidemic in the developed nations, and if not curtailed, it will single handedly collapse our health care system. The prevalence of dementia is 1 in 10 individuals older than 65 years and increases to 50% of all individuals older than 85 years. The prevalence of Alzheimer's dementia (AD), the most common form of dementia, has been increasing rapidly and is projected to reach 16 million individuals by the year 2050. Several prevailing myths about the science of dementia are discussed, such as that AD is inevitable and that it is exclusively a genetic disease. The fact is that AD is dependent on a multitude of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors that interact with one another. In fact, 4 core drivers represent 90% of what determines disease progression in AD. These are (1) glucose or energy dysregulation, (2) lipid dysregulation, (3) inflammation, and (4) oxidation. Lifestyle change can significantly alter the course of AD. The authors have created an acronym-NEURO-to help lifestyle practitioners and the public remember the most important lifestyle elements in the treatment and prevention of AD based on the evidence. "N" is for Nutrition, "E" for Exercise, "U" for Unwind (stress management), "R" for Restorative Sleep, and "O" for Optimizing mental and social activity. The evidence base for each of the components is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Sherzai
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Prevention Program, Loma Linda University Health, California
| | - Ayesha Sherzai
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer's Prevention Program, Loma Linda University Health, California
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17
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Deepeshwar S, Nagendra HR, Rana BB, Visweswaraiah NK. Evolution from four mental states to the highest state of consciousness: A neurophysiological basis of meditation as defined in yoga texts. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 244:31-83. [PMID: 30732843 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This chapter provides a theoretical introduction to states of consciousness and reviews neuroscientific investigations of meditation. The different states of consciousness consist of four mental states, i.e., cancalata (random thinking), ekagrata (non-meditative focusing), dharna (focused meditation), and dhyana (meditation) as defined in yoga texts. Meditation is a self-regulated mental process associated with deep relaxation and increased internalized attention. Scientific investigations on meditation reported changes in electrophysiological signals and neuroimaging measures. But most outcomes of meditation studies showed inconsistent results, this may be due to heterogeneity in meditation methods and techniques evolved in the last 200 years. Traditionally, the features of meditation include the capacity to sustain a heightened awareness of thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and perceptions. Generally, meditation involves non-reactive effortless monitoring of the content of experience from moment to moment. Focused meditation practice involves awareness on a single object and open monitoring meditation is a non-directive meditation involved attention in breathing, mantra, or sound. Therefore, results of few empirical studies of advanced meditators or beginners remain tentative. This is an attempt to compile the meditation-related changes in electrophysiological and neuroimaging processes among experienced and novice practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Singh Deepeshwar
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
| | - H R Nagendra
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
| | - Bal Budhi Rana
- Department of Yoga and Life Sciences, Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Swami Vivekananda Yoga University (S-VYASA), Bengaluru, India
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18
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Klimecki O, Marchant NL, Lutz A, Poisnel G, Chételat G, Collette F. The impact of meditation on healthy ageing - the current state of knowledge and a roadmap to future directions. Curr Opin Psychol 2019; 28:223-228. [PMID: 30798104 DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that meditation-based training promotes healthy ageing across many dimensions. This review summarizes the existing knowledge on the effects of meditation training on healthy ageing in the domains of emotions, cognition (with a special emphasis on attentional processes), and the preservation of related brain structures. Although evidence so far is promising, more rigorous randomized controlled studies with active control groups and long-term follow-up in older people are needed. We outline how these challenges can be addressed in future studies using the example of an ongoing project, Medit-Ageing (public name: Silver Santé Study), including two independent randomized controlled trials (RCT) as well as one cross-sectional study with meditation experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Klimecki
- Swiss Center for Affective Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Natalie L Marchant
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Antoine Lutz
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon University, Lyon, France
| | - Géraldine Poisnel
- Université Normandie, Inserm, Université de Caen-Normandie, Inserm UMR-S U1237, GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Gaël Chételat
- Université Normandie, Inserm, Université de Caen-Normandie, Inserm UMR-S U1237, GIP Cyceron, Caen, France
| | - Fabienne Collette
- GIGA-CRC In Vivo Imaging and Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience Research Unit, Liège University, Belgium
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19
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Kurth F, Cherbuin N, Luders E. Age but no sex effects on subareas of the amygdala. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 40:1697-1704. [PMID: 30549129 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The amygdala, an anatomical composite of several nuclei that have been grouped anatomically and functionally into three major subareas, has been reported to decrease in size with increasing age and to differ in size between male and female brains. However, findings are rather inconsistent across existing studies, possibly reflecting differences in the cohorts examined or the approaches chosen to define and measure the dimensions of the amygdala. Here, we investigated possible effects of age and sex on the amygdala as well as age-by-sex interactions in 100 healthy subjects (50 men/50 women) aged 18-69 years. For this purpose, we enhanced conventional imaging-based information with microscopically defined cytoarchitectonic probabilities to discriminate between different subareas. We observed significant negative correlations between age and all subareas of the amygdala indicating decreases over time, but with subarea-specific trajectories. In addition, we detected a significant quadratic association with age for the left superficial subarea suggesting an accelerating volume loss over time. Such regional information may serve as a frame of reference in future studies, not only for normative samples but also potentially for clinical populations known to present with an atypical atrophy of the amygdala. There were no sex differences and no interactions between sex and age, suggesting that the size of the amygdala is similar in male and female brains (at least when properly accounting for total intracranial volume) and that its age-related decline follows a similar trajectory in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kurth
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- Centre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Eileen Luders
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Centre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.,Laboratory of Neuro Imaging, School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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20
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Liu Z, Wu Y, Li L, Guo X. Functional Connectivity Within the Executive Control Network Mediates the Effects of Long-Term Tai Chi Exercise on Elders' Emotion Regulation. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:315. [PMID: 30405392 PMCID: PMC6205982 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous research has identified the effects of tai chi exercise on elders' executive control or on their emotion regulation. However, few works have attempted to reveal the relationships between tai chi, executive control, and emotion regulation in the same study. The current resting-state study investigated whether the impact of tai chi on elders' emotion regulation was mediated by the resting-state functional connectivity within the executive control network. A total of 26 elders with long-term tai chi experience and 26 demographically matched healthy elders were recruited. After the resting-state scan, both groups were required to complete a series of questionnaires, including the Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and a sequential decision task, which offered an index of the subjects' emotion-regulation ability by calculating how their emotional response could be affected by the objective outcomes of their decisions. Compared to the control group, the tai chi group showed higher levels of non-judgment of inner experiences (a component of the FFMQ), stronger emotion-regulation ability, and a weaker resting-state functional connectivity between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the middle frontal gyrus (MFG). Moreover, the functional connectivity between the DLPFC and the MFG in the tai chi group fully mediated the impact of non-judgment of inner experience on their emotion-regulation ability. These findings highlighted that the modulation of non-judgment of inner experience on long-term tai chi practitioners' emotion regulation was achieved through decreased functional connectivity within the executive control network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Liu
- School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuyan Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lin Li
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuyan Guo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance, School of Physics and Materials Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Psychology Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Kurth F, Luders E, Pigdon L, Conti-Ramsden G, Reilly S, Morgan AT. Altered gray matter volumes in language-associated regions in children with developmental language disorder and speech sound disorder. Dev Psychobiol 2018; 60:814-824. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kurth
- School of Psychology; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
| | - Eileen Luders
- School of Psychology; University of Auckland; Auckland New Zealand
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Melbourne Australia
| | - Lauren Pigdon
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Melbourne Australia
- Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences; Monash University; Melbourne Australia
| | - Gina Conti-Ramsden
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Melbourne Australia
- The University of Manchester; Manchester United Kingdom
| | - Sheena Reilly
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Melbourne Australia
- Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University; Southport Queensland Australia
| | - Angela T. Morgan
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute; Melbourne Australia
- University of Melbourne; Melbourne Australia
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Integrating Cytoarchitectonic Probabilities with MRI-Based Signal Intensities to Calculate Regional Volumes of Interest. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7647-8_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
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Wong WP, Coles J, Chambers R, Wu DBC, Hassed C. The Effects of Mindfulness on Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2017; 1:181-193. [PMID: 30480237 PMCID: PMC6159696 DOI: 10.3233/adr-170031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The current lack of an effective cure for dementia would exacerbate its prevalence and incidence globally. Growing evidence has linked mindfulness to cognitive and psychological improvements that could be relevant for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective To investigate whether mindfulness practice can improve health outcomes of MCI. Methods The study is the first longitudinal mixed-methods observational study with a one-year follow-up period, that customized an eight-week group-based mindfulness training program for older adults with MCI (n = 14). Measures included cognitive function, psychological health, trait mindfulness, adherence to mindfulness practice, and everyday activities functioning as assessed at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and one-year follow-up. Repeated measures ANOVAs, Pearson's correlation analyses, and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed. Results The MCI participants showed significant improvements in cognitive function (p < 0.05) and trait mindfulness (p < 0.05) after completing the intervention. Between program intervention and one-year follow-up (59 weeks), positive correlations were found between their cognitive function (p < 0.05) and everyday activities functioning (p < 0.05) with the duration of mindfulness meditation; and between trait mindfulness and the level of informal mindfulness practice (p < 0.05). Those who meditated more during these 59 weeks, showed greater improvements in cognitive function (p < 0.05) and everyday activities functioning (p < 0.05), with large effect sizes at the one-year follow-up. Qualitative findings will be reported separately. Conclusion Long-term mindfulness practice may be associated with cognitive and functional improvements for older adults with MCI. Mindfulness training could be a potential efficacious non-pharmacological therapeutic intervention for MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wee Ping Wong
- Department of General Practice, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, VIC, Australia
| | - Jan Coles
- Department of General Practice, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, VIC, Australia
| | - Richard Chambers
- Counselling and Mental Health Programs, Campus Community Division, Monash University, VIC, Australia
| | - David Bin-Chia Wu
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Craig Hassed
- Department of General Practice, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, VIC, Australia
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24
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Kurth F, Cherbuin N, Luders E. The impact of aging on subregions of the hippocampal complex in healthy adults. Neuroimage 2017; 163:296-300. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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25
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Kurth F, Jancke L, Luders E. Sexual dimorphism of Broca's region: More gray matter in female brains in Brodmann areas 44 and 45. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:626-632. [PMID: 27870461 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 07/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Although a sexual dimorphism in brain structure is generally well established, evidence for sex differences in Brodmann areas (BA) 44 and 45 is inconclusive. This may be due to the difficulty of accurately defining BA 44 and BA 45 in magnetic resonance images, given that these regions are variable in their location and extent and that they do not match well with macroanatomic landmarks. Here we set out to test for possible sex differences in the local gray matter of BA 44/45 by integrating imaging-based signal intensities with cytoarchitectonically defined tissue probabilities in a sample of 50 male and 50 female subjects. In addition to testing for sex differences with respect to left- and right-hemispheric measures of BA 44/45, we also assessed possible sex differences in BA 44/45 asymmetry. Our analyses revealed significantly larger gray matter volumes in females compared with males for BA 44 and BA 45 bilaterally. However, there was a lack of significant sex differences in BA 44/45 asymmetry. These results corroborate reports of a language-related female superiority, particularly with respect to verbal fluency and verbal memory tasks. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kurth
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lutz Jancke
- Department of Neuropsychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,University Research Priority Program (URPP) "Dynamic of Healthy Aging," University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Eileen Luders
- Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Neurology, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
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26
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Berk L, van Boxtel M, van Os J. Can mindfulness-based interventions influence cognitive functioning in older adults? A review and considerations for future research. Aging Ment Health 2017; 21:1113-1120. [PMID: 27827541 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2016.1247423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES An increased need exists to examine factors that protect against age-related cognitive decline. There is preliminary evidence that meditation can improve cognitive function. However, most studies are cross-sectional and examine a wide variety of meditation techniques. This review focuses on the standard eight-week mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). METHOD We searched the PsychINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, COCHRANE, and PubMed databases to identify original studies investigating the effects of MBI on cognition in older adults. RESULTS Six reports were included in the review of which three were randomized controlled trials. Studies reported preliminary positive effects on memory, executive function and processing speed. However, most reports had a high risk of bias and sample sizes were small. The only study with low risk of bias, large sample size and active control group reported no significant findings. CONCLUSION We conclude that eight-week MBI for older adults are feasible, but results on cognitive improvement are inconclusive due a limited number of studies, small sample sizes, and a high risk of bias. Rather than a narrow focus on cognitive training per se, future research may productively shift to investigate MBI as a tool to alleviate suffering in older adults, and to prevent cognitive problems in later life already in younger target populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lotte Berk
- a Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology , School for Mental Health and Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Martin van Boxtel
- a Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology , School for Mental Health and Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Jim van Os
- a Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology , School for Mental Health and Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands.,b King's College London , King's Health Partners , Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry , London , UK
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27
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Reduced age-associated brain changes in expert meditators: a multimodal neuroimaging pilot study. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10160. [PMID: 28860449 PMCID: PMC5578985 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-07764-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with progressive cerebral volume and glucose metabolism decreases. Conditions such as stress and sleep difficulties exacerbate these changes and are risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. Meditation practice, aiming towards stress reduction and emotion regulation, can downregulate these adverse factors. In this pilot study, we explored the possibility that lifelong meditation practice might reduce age-related brain changes by comparing structural MRI and FDG-PET data in 6 elderly expert meditators versus 67 elderly controls. We found increased gray matter volume and/or FDG metabolism in elderly expert meditators compared to controls in the bilateral ventromedial prefrontal and anterior cingulate cortex, insula, temporo-parietal junction, and posterior cingulate cortex /precuneus. Most of these regions were also those exhibiting the strongest effects of age when assessed in a cohort of 186 controls aged 20 to 87 years. Moreover, complementary analyses showed that these changes were still observed when adjusting for lifestyle factors or using a smaller group of controls matched for education. Pending replication in a larger cohort of elderly expert meditators and longitudinal studies, these findings suggest that meditation practice could reduce age-associated structural and functional brain changes.
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28
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Burke A, Lam CN, Stussman B, Yang H. Prevalence and patterns of use of mantra, mindfulness and spiritual meditation among adults in the United States. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 17:316. [PMID: 28619092 PMCID: PMC5472955 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1827-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite a growing body of scientific literature exploring the nature of meditation there is limited information on the characteristics of individuals who use it. This is particularly true of comparative studies examining prevalence and predictors of use of various forms of meditation. METHODS A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey (n = 34,525). Three popular forms of meditation were compared-mantra, mindfulness, and spiritual-to determine lifetime and 12-month use related to key sociodemographic, health behavior, health status, and healthcare access variables. RESULTS The 12-month prevalence for meditation practice was 3.1% for spiritual meditation, 1.9% for mindfulness meditation, and 1.6% for mantra meditation. This represents approximately 7.0, 4.3, and 3.6 million adults respectively. A comparison across the three meditation practices found many similarities in user characteristics, suggesting interest in meditation may be more related to the type of person meditating than to the type of practice selected. Across meditation styles use was more prevalent among respondents who were female, non-Hispanic White, college educated, physically active; who used other complementary health practices; and who reported depression. Higher utilization of conventional healthcare services was one of the strongest predictors of use of all three styles. In addition to similarities, important distinctions were observed. For example, spiritual meditation practice was more prevalent among former drinkers. This may reflect use of spiritual meditation practices in support of alcohol treatment and sobriety. Reasons for use of meditation were examined using the sample of respondents who practiced mindfulness meditation. Wellness and prevention (74%) was a more common reason than use to treat a specific health condition (30%). Common reasons for use included stress management (92%) and emotional well-being (91%), and to support other health behaviors. Meditation was viewed positively because it was self-care oriented (81%) and focused on the whole person (79%). CONCLUSION Meditation appears to provide an accessible, self-care resource that has potential value for mental health, behavioral self-regulation, and integrative medical care. Considering consumer preference for distinct types of meditation practices, understanding the underlying mechanisms, benefits, and applications of practice variations is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Burke
- Institute for Holistic Health Studies, Department of Health Education/HSS327, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California, 94132 USA
| | - Chun Nok Lam
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Health Behavior Research Program, University of Southern California, 2001 N Soto Street, Los Angeles, CA 90032 USA
| | - Barbara Stussman
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Institutes of Health, 6707 Democracy Boulevard/Suite 401, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Computer Science, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, California, 94132 USA
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29
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Kurth F, Cherbuin N, Luders E. Promising Links between Meditation and Reduced (Brain) Aging: An Attempt to Bridge Some Gaps between the Alleged Fountain of Youth and the Youth of the Field. Front Psychol 2017; 8:860. [PMID: 28611710 PMCID: PMC5447722 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last decade, an increasing number of studies has reported a positive impact of meditation on cerebral aging. However, the underlying mechanisms for these seemingly brain-protecting effects are not well-understood. This may be due to the fact, at least partly, that systematic empirical meditation research has emerged only recently as a field of scientific scrutiny. Thus, on the one hand, critical questions remain largely unanswered; and on the other hand, outcomes of existing research require better integration to build a more comprehensive and holistic picture. In this article, we first review theories and mechanisms pertaining to normal (brain) aging, specifically focusing on telomeres, inflammation, stress regulation, and macroscopic brain anatomy. Then, we summarize existing research integrating the developing evidence suggesting that meditation exerts positive effects on (brain) aging, while carefully discussing possible mechanisms through which these effects may be mediated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Kurth
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA School of MedicineLos Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- Centre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing, Australian National UniversityCanberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Eileen Luders
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA School of MedicineLos Angeles, CA, United States.,Centre for Research on Ageing Health and Wellbeing, Australian National UniversityCanberra, ACT, Australia
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30
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Last N, Tufts E, Auger LE. The Effects of Meditation on Grey Matter Atrophy and Neurodegeneration: A Systematic Review. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 56:275-286. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-160899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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31
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Aisenberg D, Cohen ZZ, Linkovski O. Training and transfer in aging - is pathway overlap really necessary? Cogn Neurosci 2016; 8:130-132. [PMID: 27448162 DOI: 10.1080/17588928.2016.1206874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Voelker et al. (this issue) discuss how training improves task speed. They suggest two constraints when exploring how training changes cognition through transfer: (1) a link between improved connectivity and response speed and (2) the transfer task should use pathways altered by training. Looking at the literature on aging, we believe the latter constraint should be reconsidered. We discuss evidence from developmental aging, questioning whether the transfer task necessarily requires using training task pathways. Additionally, we expand the discussion of state training to research on aging-specifically, the link between resting state network activity, mindfulness training, and executive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Aisenberg
- a Department of Psychology , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | - Zahira Ziva Cohen
- a Department of Psychology , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
| | - Omer Linkovski
- a Department of Psychology , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Beer Sheva , Israel
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32
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Luders E, Cherbuin N, Gaser C. Estimating brain age using high-resolution pattern recognition: Younger brains in long-term meditation practitioners. Neuroimage 2016; 134:508-513. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Revised: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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33
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Reduced stress and inflammatory responsiveness in experienced meditators compared to a matched healthy control group. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2016; 68:117-25. [PMID: 26970711 PMCID: PMC4851883 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Psychological stress is a major contributor to symptom exacerbation across many chronic inflammatory conditions and can acutely provoke increases in inflammation in healthy individuals. With the rise in rates of inflammation-related medical conditions, evidence for behavioral approaches that reduce stress reactivity is of value. Here, we compare 31 experienced meditators, with an average of approximately 9000 lifetime hours of meditation practice (M age=51years) to an age- and sex-matched control group (n=37; M age=48years) on measures of stress- and inflammatory responsivity, and measures of psychological health. The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) was used to induce psychological stress and a neurogenic inflammatory response was produced using topical application of capsaicin cream to forearm skin. Size of the capsaicin-induced flare response and increase in salivary cortisol and alpha amylase were used to quantify the magnitude of inflammatory and stress responses, respectively. Results show that experienced meditators have lower TSST-evoked cortisol (62.62±2.52 vs. 70.38±2.33; p<.05) and perceived stress (4.18±.41 vs. 5.56±.30; p<.01), as well as a smaller neurogenic inflammatory response (81.55±4.6 vs. 96.76±4.26; p<.05), compared to the control group. Moreover, experienced meditators reported higher levels of psychological factors associated with wellbeing and resilience. These results suggest that the long-term practice of meditation may reduce stress reactivity and could be of therapeutic benefit in chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by neurogenic inflammation.
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34
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Luders E, Cherbuin N. Searching for the philosopher's stone: promising links between meditation and brain preservation. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2016; 1373:38-44. [PMID: 27187107 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In the context of an aging population and increased prevalence of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, developing strategies to decrease the negative effects of aging is imperative. The scientific study of meditation as a potential tool to downregulate processes implicated in brain aging is an emerging field, and a growing body of research suggests that mindfulness practices are beneficial for cerebral resilience. Adding further evidence to this notion, an increasing number of imaging studies report effects of meditation on brain structure that are consistent with our understanding of neuroprotection. Here, we review the published findings in this field of research addressing the question of whether meditation diminishes age-related brain degeneration. Altogether, although analyses are still sparse and based on cross-sectional data, study outcomes suggest that meditation might be beneficial for brain preservation-both with respect to gray and white matter-possibly by slowing down the natural (age-related) decrease of brain tissue. Nevertheless, it should also be recognized that, until robust longitudinal data become available, there is no evidence for causation between meditation and brain preservation. This review includes a comprehensive commentary on limitations of the existing research and concludes with implications and directions for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Luders
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California.,Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Nicolas Cherbuin
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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35
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Mukerji Househam A, Josipovic Z. Commentary: Meditation Effects within the Hippocampal Complex Revealed by Voxel-Based Morphometric and Cytoarchitectonic Probabilistic Mapping. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1765. [PMID: 26635674 PMCID: PMC4652007 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 11/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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36
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Josipovic Z, Baars BJ. Editorial: What can Neuroscience Learn from Contemplative Practices? Front Psychol 2015; 6:1731. [PMID: 26617554 PMCID: PMC4639597 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 10/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Josipovic
- Psychology Department, New York University New York, NY, USA
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