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Abellaneda-Pérez K, Potash RM, Pascual-Leone A, Sacchet MD. Neuromodulation and meditation: A review and synthesis toward promoting well-being and understanding consciousness and brain. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 166:105862. [PMID: 39186992 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 08/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
The neuroscience of meditation is providing insight into meditation's beneficial effects on well-being and informing understanding of consciousness. However, further research is needed to explicate mechanisms linking brain activity and meditation. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) presents a promising approach for causally investigating neural mechanisms of meditation. Prior NIBS-meditation research has predominantly targeted frontal and parietal cortices suggesting that it might be possible to boost the behavioral and neural effects of meditation with NIBS. Moreover, NIBS has revealed distinct neural signatures in long-term meditators. Nonetheless, methodological variations in NIBS-meditation research contributes to challenges for definitive interpretation of previous results. Future NIBS studies should further investigate core substrates of meditation, including specific brain networks and oscillations, and causal neural mechanisms of advanced meditation. Overall, NIBS-meditation research holds promise for enhancing meditation-based interventions in support of well-being and resilience in both non-clinical and clinical populations, and for uncovering the brain-mind mechanisms of meditation and consciousness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kilian Abellaneda-Pérez
- Departament de Medicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institut Guttmann, Institut Universitari de Neurorehabilitació adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Ruby M Potash
- Meditation Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew D Sacchet
- Meditation Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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Fialoke S, Tripathi V, Thakral S, Dhawan A, Majahan V, Garg R. Functional connectivity changes in meditators and novices during yoga nidra practice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12957. [PMID: 38839877 PMCID: PMC11153538 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63765-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Yoga nidra (YN) practice aims to induce a deeply relaxed state akin to sleep while maintaining heightened awareness. Despite the growing interest in its clinical applications, a comprehensive understanding of the underlying neural correlates of the practice of YN remains largely unexplored. In this fMRI investigation, we aim to discover the differences between wakeful resting states and states attained during YN practice. The study included individuals experienced in meditation and/or yogic practices, referred to as 'meditators' (n = 30), and novice controls (n = 31). The GLM analysis, based on audio instructions, demonstrated activation related to auditory cues without concurrent default mode network (DMN) deactivation. DMN seed based functional connectivity (FC) analysis revealed significant reductions in connectivity among meditators during YN as compared to controls. We did not find differences between the two groups during the pre and post resting state scans. Moreover, when DMN-FC was compared between the YN state and resting state, meditators showed distinct decoupling, whereas controls showed increased DMN-FC. Finally, participants exhibit a remarkable correlation between reduced DMN connectivity during YN and self-reported hours of cumulative meditation and yoga practice. Together, these results suggest a unique neural modulation of the DMN in meditators during YN which results in being restful yet aware, aligned with their subjective experience of the practice. The study deepens our understanding of the neural mechanisms of YN, revealing distinct DMN connectivity decoupling in meditators and its relationship with meditation and yoga experience. These findings have interdisciplinary implications for neuroscience, psychology, and yogic disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suruchi Fialoke
- National Resource Center for Value Education in Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India
| | - Vaibhav Tripathi
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, USA
| | - Sonika Thakral
- Department of Computer Science, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Anju Dhawan
- National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, India
| | | | - Rahul Garg
- National Resource Center for Value Education in Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India.
- Amar Nath and Shashi Khosla School of Information Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India.
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India.
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Zarka D, Cevallos C, Ruiz P, Petieau M, Cebolla AM, Bengoetxea A, Cheron G. Electroencephalography microstates highlight specific mindfulness traits. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:1753-1769. [PMID: 38221503 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the spontaneous dynamics of large-scale brain networks underlying mindfulness as a dispositional trait, through resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) microstates analysis. Eighteen participants had attended a standardized mindfulness-based stress reduction training (MBSR), and 18 matched waitlist individuals (CTRL) were recorded at rest while they were passively exposed to auditory stimuli. Participants' mindfulness traits were assessed with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). To further explore the relationship between microstate dynamics at rest and mindfulness traits, participants were also asked to rate their experience according to five phenomenal dimensions. After training, MBSR participants showed a highly significant increase in FFMQ score, as well as higher observing and non-reactivity FFMQ sub-scores than CTRL participants. Microstate analysis revealed four classes of microstates (A-D) in global clustering across all subjects. The MBSR group showed lower duration, occurrence and coverage of microstate C than the control group. Moreover, these microstate C parameters were negatively correlated to non-reactivity sub-scores of FFMQ across participants, whereas the microstate A occurrence was negatively correlated to FFMQ total score. Further analysis of participants' self-reports suggested that MBSR participants showed a better sensory-affective integration of auditory interferences. In line with previous studies, our results suggest that temporal dynamics of microstate C underlie specifically the non-reactivity trait of mindfulness. These findings encourage further research into microstates in the evaluation and monitoring of the impact of mindfulness-based interventions on the mental health and well-being of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Zarka
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Research Unit in Sciences of Osteopathy, Faculty of Human Motor Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Research Unit in Sciences of Osteopathy, Faculty of Human Motor Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Cevallos
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Research Unit in Sciences of Osteopathy, Faculty of Human Motor Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador
| | - P Ruiz
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecánica, Facultad de Ingeniería Mecánica, Escuela Politécnica Nacional, Quito, Ecuador
| | - M Petieau
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Research Unit in Sciences of Osteopathy, Faculty of Human Motor Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A M Cebolla
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Research Unit in Sciences of Osteopathy, Faculty of Human Motor Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - A Bengoetxea
- Research Unit in Sciences of Osteopathy, Faculty of Human Motor Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Athenea Neuroclinics, San Sebastian, Spain
| | - G Cheron
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology and Movement Biomechanics, Research Unit in Sciences of Osteopathy, Faculty of Human Motor Sciences, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratory of Electrophysiology, Université de Mons, Mons, Belgium
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Sim S, Maldonado IL, Castelnau P, Barantin L, El-Hage W, Andersson F, Cottier JP. Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation and hypnosis on magnetic resonance imaging: similarities and differences. A scoping review. J Neuroradiol 2024; 51:131-144. [PMID: 37981196 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mindfulness meditation (MM) and hypnosis practices are gaining interest in mental health, but their physiological mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to synthesize the functional, morphometric and metabolic changes associated with each practice using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to identify their similarities and differences. METHODS MRI studies investigating MM and hypnosis in mental health, specifically stress, anxiety, and depression, were systematically screened following PRISMA guidelines from four research databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, PsycINFO) between 2010 and 2022. RESULTS In total, 97 references met the inclusion criteria (84 for MM and 13 for hypnosis). This review showed common and divergent points regarding the regions involved and associated brain connectivity during MM practice and hypnosis. The primary commonality between mindfulness and hypnosis was decreased default mode network intrinsic activity and increased central executive network - salience network connectivity. Increased connectivity between the default mode network and the salience network was observed in meditative practice and mindfulness predisposition, but not in hypnosis. CONCLUSIONS While MRI studies provide a better understanding of the neural basis of hypnosis and meditation, this review underscores the need for more rigorous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindy Sim
- CHRU de Tours, service de radiologie, Tours, France
| | | | - Pierre Castelnau
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France; Service de Neuropédiatrie et Handicaps, Hôpital Clocheville, CHRU, Tours, France; CUMIC, Collège Universitaire des Médecines Intégratives et Complémentaires, Nantes, France
| | | | - Wissam El-Hage
- UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France; CHRU de Tours, Clinique Psychiatrique Universitaire, Tours, France
| | | | - Jean-Philippe Cottier
- CHRU de Tours, service de radiologie, Tours, France; UMR 1253, iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France; CUMIC, Collège Universitaire des Médecines Intégratives et Complémentaires, Nantes, France.
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Laubacher C, Kral TRA, Imhoff-Smith T, Klaus DR, Goldman RI, Sachs J, Davidson RJ, Busse WW, Rosenkranz MA. Resting state functional connectivity changes following mindfulness-based stress reduction predict improvements in disease control for patients with asthma. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 115:480-493. [PMID: 37924961 PMCID: PMC10842225 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The staggering morbidity associated with chronic inflammatory diseases can be reduced by psychological interventions, including Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Proposed mechanisms for MBSR's beneficial effects include changes in salience network function. Salience network perturbations are also associated with chronic inflammation, including airway inflammation in asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 10% of the population. However, no studies have examined whether MBSR-related improvements in disease control are related to changes in salience network function. METHODS Adults with asthma were randomized to 8 weeks of MBSR or a waitlist control group. Resting state functional connectivity was measured using fMRI before randomization, immediately post-intervention, and 4 months post-intervention. Using key salience network regions as seeds, we calculated group differences in change in functional connectivity over time and examined whether functional connectivity changes were associated with increased mindfulness, improved asthma control, and decreased inflammatory biomarkers. RESULTS The MBSR group showed greater increases in functional connectivity between salience network regions relative to the waitlist group. Improvements in asthma control correlated with increased functional connectivity between the salience network and regions important for attention control and emotion regulation. Improvements in inflammatory biomarkers were related to decreased functional connectivity between the salience network and other networks. CONCLUSIONS Increased resting salience network coherence and connectivity with networks that subserve attention and emotion regulation may contribute to the benefits of MBSR for patients with asthma. Understanding the neural underpinnings of MBSR-related benefits in patients is a critical step towards optimizing brain-targeted interventions for chronic inflammatory disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Laubacher
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA
| | - Tammi R A Kral
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA; Healthy Minds Innovations, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA
| | - Ted Imhoff-Smith
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Danika R Klaus
- Healthy Minds Innovations, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA
| | - Robin I Goldman
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA
| | - Jane Sachs
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA
| | - Richard J Davidson
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA; Healthy Minds Innovations, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd, Madison, WI 53719, USA
| | - William W Busse
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792, USA
| | - Melissa A Rosenkranz
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 625 W. Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 6001 Research Park Blvd, Madison, WI 53719, USA.
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Mora Álvarez MG, Hölzel BK, Bremer B, Wilhelm M, Hell E, Tavacioglu EE, Koch K, Torske A. Effects of web-based mindfulness training on psychological outcomes, attention, and neuroplasticity. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22635. [PMID: 38114554 PMCID: PMC10730881 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48706-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation training (MMT) reliably reduces stress and anxiety while also improving attention. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between MMT, stress and anxiety reduction, and its impact upon improvements in attention on the behavioral and neuronal levels. As a second aim, we sought to explore any relationship between MMT, attention, and modified states of mind such as flow. 118 healthy, meditation-naïve, participants were either assigned to a 31-day, web-based, MMT or an active control, health training (HT). Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing the attention network test (ANT) to assess functional and behavioural attentional changes, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess microstructural neuronal changes and completed relevant questionnaires to explore changes in psychological outcomes. Results confirmed a reduction in perceived stress and anxiety levels in the MMT group and significant improvements in the overall reaction time during the ANT, albeit no specific effects on the attentional components were observed. No statistically significant changes were found in the HT group. Interestingly, a significant group-by-time interaction was seen in flow experience. Functional data exhibited an increased activity in the superior frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate cortex, and right hippocampus during the alerting condition of the ANT after the MMT; decreased stress and trait anxiety were significantly correlated with the activation in the right hippocampus, and increased flow was also significantly correlated with all the aforementioned areas. DTI data showed increased fractional anisotropy values in the right uncinate fasciculus indicating white matter microarchitecture improvement between the right hippocampus and frontal areas of the brain. This study, therefore, demonstrates the effectiveness of web-based MMT on overall well-being and attentional performance, while also providing insight into the relationship between psychological outcomes, attention, and neuroplastic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Guadalupe Mora Álvarez
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - Britta Karen Hölzel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benno Bremer
- Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maximilian Wilhelm
- Center for Psychotherapy Research, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elena Hell
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ebru Ecem Tavacioglu
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychology, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Koch
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Alyssa Torske
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM-Neuroimaging Center (TUM-NIC), Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences, Ludwig Maximilians Universität München, Martinsried, Germany
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Yue WL, Ng KK, Koh AJ, Perini F, Doshi K, Zhou JH, Lim J. Mindfulness-based therapy improves brain functional network reconfiguration efficiency. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:345. [PMID: 37951943 PMCID: PMC10640625 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02642-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions are showing increasing promise as a treatment for psychological disorders, with improvements in cognition and emotion regulation after intervention. Understanding the changes in functional brain activity and neural plasticity that underlie these benefits from mindfulness interventions is thus of interest in current neuroimaging research. Previous studies have found functional brain changes during resting and task states to be associated with mindfulness both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, particularly in the executive control, default mode and salience networks. However, limited research has combined information from rest and task to study mindfulness-related functional changes in the brain, particularly in the context of intervention studies with active controls. Recent work has found that the reconfiguration efficiency of brain activity patterns between rest and task states is behaviorally relevant in healthy young adults. Thus, we applied this measure to investigate how mindfulness intervention changed functional reconfiguration between rest and a breath-counting task in elderly participants with self-reported sleep difficulties. Improving on previous longitudinal designs, we compared the intervention effects of a mindfulness-based therapy to an active control (sleep hygiene) intervention. We found that mindfulness intervention improved self-reported mindfulness measures and brain functional reconfiguration efficiency in the executive control, default mode and salience networks, though the brain and behavioral changes were not associated with each other. Our findings suggest that neuroplasticity may be induced through regular mindfulness practice, thus bringing the intrinsic functional configuration in participants' brains closer to a state required for mindful awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan Lin Yue
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kwun Kei Ng
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Amelia Jialing Koh
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Francesca Perini
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kinjal Doshi
- Department of Psychology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Juan Helen Zhou
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Julian Lim
- Centre for Sleep and Cognition & Centre for Translational Magnetic Resonance Research, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Psychology, National University of, Singapore, Singapore.
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Kral TRA, Weng HY, Mitra V, Imhoff-Smith TP, Azemi E, Goldman RI, Rosenkranz MA, Wu S, Chen A, Davidson RJ. Slower respiration rate is associated with higher self-reported well-being after wellness training. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15953. [PMID: 37743388 PMCID: PMC10518325 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43176-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Mind-body interventions such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) may improve well-being by increasing awareness and regulation of physiological and cognitive states. However, it is unclear how practice may alter long-term, baseline physiological processes, and whether these changes reflect improved well-being. Using respiration rate (RR), which can be sensitive to effects of meditation, and 3 aspects of self-reported well-being (psychological well-being [PWB], distress, and medical symptoms), we tested pre-registered hypotheses that: (1) Lower baseline RR (in a resting, non-meditative state) would be a physiological marker associated with well-being, (2) MBSR would decrease RR, and (3) Training-related decreases in RR would be associated with improved well-being. We recruited 245 adults (age range = 18-65, M = 42.4): experienced meditators (n = 42), and meditation-naïve participants randomized to MBSR (n = 72), active control (n = 41), or waitlist control (n = 66). Data were collected at pre-randomization, post-intervention (or waiting), and long-term follow-up. Lower baseline RR was associated with lower psychological distress among long-term meditators (p* = 0.03, b = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01, 0.03]), though not in non-meditators prior to training. MBSR decreased RR compared to waitlist (p = 0.02, Cohen's d = - 0.41, 95% CI [- 0.78, - 0.06]), but not the active control. Decreased RR related to decreased medical symptoms, across all participants (p* = 0.02, b = 0.57, 95% CI [0.15, 0.98]). Post-training, lower RR was associated with higher PWB across training groups compared to waitlist (p* = 0.01, b = 0.06, 95% CI [0.02, 0.10]), though there were no significant differences in change in PWB between groups. This physiological marker may indicate higher physical and/or psychological well-being in those who engage in wellness practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammi R A Kral
- Healthy Minds Innovations, Inc., Madison, WI, USA
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | - Theodore P Imhoff-Smith
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Robin I Goldman
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | | | | | - Richard J Davidson
- Healthy Minds Innovations, Inc., Madison, WI, USA.
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
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9
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Galante J, Friedrich C, Dalgleish T, Jones PB, White IR. Individual participant data systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials assessing adult mindfulness-based programmes for mental health promotion in non-clinical settings. NATURE. MENTAL HEALTH 2023; 1:462-476. [PMID: 37867573 PMCID: PMC7615230 DOI: 10.1038/s44220-023-00081-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Mindfulness-based programmes (MBPs) are widely used to prevent mental ill-health that is becoming the leading global cause of morbidity. Evidence suggests beneficial average effects but wide variability. We aimed to confirm the effect of MBPs on psychological distress, and to understand whether and how baseline distress, gender, age, education, and dispositional mindfulness modify the effect of MBPs on distress among adults in non-clinical settings. Methods We conducted a pre-registered systematic review and individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42020200117). Thirteen databases were searched in December 2020 for randomised controlled trials satisfying a quality threshold and comparing in-person, expert-defined MBPs in non-clinical settings with passive control groups. Two researchers independently selected, extracted, and appraised trials using the revised Cochrane Risk-of-Bias Tool (RoB2). Anonymised IPD of eligible trials were sought from collaborating authors. The primary outcome was psychological distress (unpleasant mental or emotional experiences including anxiety and depression) at 1 to 6 months after programme completion. Data were checked and imputed if missing. Pairwise, random-effects, two-stage IPD meta-analyses were conducted. Effect modification analyses followed a within-studies approach. Public and professional stakeholders were involved in the planning, conduct and dissemination of this study. Results Fifteen trials were eligible, 13 trialists shared IPD (2,371 participants representing 8 countries, median age 34 years-old, 71% women, moderately distressed on average, 20% missing outcome data). In comparison with passive control groups, MBPs reduced average distress between one- and six-months post-intervention with a small to moderate effect size (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.41 to -0.24; p-value < 0.001; 95% prediction interval (PI) -0.41 to -0.24 (no heterogeneity)). Results were robust to sensitivity analyses, and similar for the other psychological distress time point ranges. Confidence in the primary outcome result is high. We found no clear indication that this effect is modified by baseline psychological distress, gender, age, education level, or dispositional mindfulness. Conclusions Group-based teacher-led MBPs generally reduce psychological distress among community adults who volunteer to receive this type of intervention. More research is needed to identify sources of variability in outcomes at an individual level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julieta Galante
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Contemplative Studies Centre, Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Claire Friedrich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Dalgleish
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Peter B. Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- NIHR Applied Research Collaboration East of England, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ian R. White
- MRC Clinical Trials Unit at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Kogias N, Geurts DEM, Krause F, Speckens AEM, Hermans EJ. Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial investigating the effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction on stress regulation and associated neurocognitive mechanisms in stressed university students: the MindRest study. BMC Psychol 2023; 11:194. [PMID: 37393359 DOI: 10.1186/s40359-023-01220-4] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress-related disorders are a growing public health concern. While stress is a natural and adaptive process, chronic exposure to stressors can lead to dysregulation and take a cumulative toll on physical and mental well-being. One approach to coping with stress and building resilience is through Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). By understanding the neural mechanisms of MBSR, we can gain insight into how it reduces stress and what drives individual differences in treatment outcomes. This study aims to establish the clinical effects of MBSR on stress regulation in a population that is susceptible to develop stress-related disorders (i.e., university students with mild to high self-reported stress), to assess the role of large-scale brain networks in stress regulation changes induced by MBSR, and to identify who may benefit most from MBSR. METHODS This study is a longitudinal two-arm randomised, wait-list controlled trial to investigate the effects of MBSR on a preselected, Dutch university student population with elevated stress levels. Clinical symptoms are measured at baseline, post-treatment, and three months after training. Our primary clinical symptom is perceived stress, with additional measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms, alcohol use, stress resilience, positive mental health, and stress reactivity in daily life. We investigate the effects of MBSR on stress regulation in terms of behaviour, self-report measures, physiology, and brain activity. Repetitive negative thinking, cognitive reactivity, emotional allowance, mindfulness skills, and self-compassion will be tested as potential mediating factors for the clinical effects of MBSR. Childhood trauma, personality traits and baseline brain activity patterns will be tested as potential moderators of the clinical outcomes. DISCUSSION This study aims to provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of MBSR in reducing stress-related symptoms in a susceptible student population and crucially, to investigate its effects on stress regulation, and to identify who may benefit most from the intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered on September 15, 2022, at clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05541263 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Kogias
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Dirk E M Geurts
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Mindfulness, Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Florian Krause
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anne E M Speckens
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Mindfulness, Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erno J Hermans
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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11
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Kundarti FI, Titisari I, Rahayu DE, Kiswati, Jamhariyah. Mindfulness improves the mental health of infertile women: A systematic review. J Public Health Res 2023; 12:22799036231196693. [PMID: 37711728 PMCID: PMC10498716 DOI: 10.1177/22799036231196693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility in women causes mental health problems, the bad ones. Women with infertility need psychological treatment using mindfulness interventions. This study's purpose was to analyze mindfulness's effect on the mental health of women with infertility through a systematic review. The method used in this systematic review was by searching through the following databases; ProQuest database, Wiley Library, Pubmed, Scopus, Science Direct, Sage Journal, Cochrane Library, and Cambridge Core from January 2011 to December 2021. Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Results show that the use of mindfulness was found to be effective in reducing mental disorders in women with infertility. Nine articles that meet the criteria for inclusion. According to a study on the effects of mindfulness on infertile women, affect increasing mental health levels by reducing mental health disorder scores. Mindfulness has been proven to be an effective intervention for women undergoing infertility-related mental disorders such as stress, anxiety, and depression. However, different types of mindfulness-based interventions are used to target different mental health issues. For example, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) targets stress and anxiety while Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) targets depression. Additionally, specific mindfulness for example, for the midwifery profession can be developed to improve the quality and treatment outcomes of healthcare for women struggling with infertility problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Finta Isti Kundarti
- Department of Midwifery, Polytechnic of Health, Ministry of Health, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Ira Titisari
- Department of Midwifery, Polytechnic of Health, Ministry of Health, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Dwi Estuning Rahayu
- Department of Midwifery, Polytechnic of Health, Ministry of Health, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Kiswati
- Department of Midwifery, Polytechnic of Health, Ministry of Health, Malang, Indonesia
| | - Jamhariyah
- Department of Midwifery, Polytechnic of Health, Ministry of Health, Malang, Indonesia
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12
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Huang H, Li R, Zhang J. A review of visual sustained attention: neural mechanisms and computational models. PeerJ 2023; 11:e15351. [PMID: 37334118 PMCID: PMC10274610 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.15351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustained attention is one of the basic abilities of humans to maintain concentration on relevant information while ignoring irrelevant information over extended periods. The purpose of the review is to provide insight into how to integrate neural mechanisms of sustained attention with computational models to facilitate research and application. Although many studies have assessed attention, the evaluation of humans' sustained attention is not sufficiently comprehensive. Hence, this study provides a current review on both neural mechanisms and computational models of visual sustained attention. We first review models, measurements, and neural mechanisms of sustained attention and propose plausible neural pathways for visual sustained attention. Next, we analyze and compare the different computational models of sustained attention that the previous reviews have not systematically summarized. We then provide computational models for automatically detecting vigilance states and evaluation of sustained attention. Finally, we outline possible future trends in the research field of sustained attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Huang
- National Engineering Research Center for E-learning, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Li
- National Engineering Research Center for E-learning, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Junsong Zhang
- Brain Cognition and Intelligent Computing Lab, Department of Artificial Intelligence, School of Informatics, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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13
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Lorenzetti V, Gaillard A, Beyer E, Kowalczyk M, Kamboj SK, Manning V, Gleeson J. Do mindfulness-based interventions change brain function in people with substance dependence? A systematic review of the fMRI evidence. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:407. [PMID: 37286936 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04789-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Substance use disorders (SUDs) affect ~ 35 million people globally and are associated with strong cravings, stress, and brain alterations. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can mitigate the adverse psychosocial outcomes of SUDs, but the underlying neurobiology is unclear. Emerging findings were systematically synthesised from fMRI studies about MBI-associated changes in brain function in SUDs and their associations with mindfulness, drug quantity, and craving. METHODS PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Seven studies met inclusion criteria. RESULTS Group by time effects indicated that MBIs in SUDs (6 tobacco and 1 opioid) were associated with changes in the function of brain pathways implicated in mindfulness and addiction (e.g., anterior cingulate cortex and striatum), which correlated with greater mindfulness, lower craving and drug quantity. CONCLUSIONS The evidence for fMRI-related changes with MBI in SUD is currently limited. More fMRI studies are required to identify how MBIs mitigate and facilitate recovery from aberrant brain functioning in SUDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lorenzetti
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Level 5 Daniel Mannix Building, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia.
| | - Alexandra Gaillard
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Level 5 Daniel Mannix Building, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
- Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Australia
| | - Emillie Beyer
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Level 5 Daniel Mannix Building, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
| | - Magdalena Kowalczyk
- Neuroscience of Addiction and Mental Health Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Level 5 Daniel Mannix Building, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC, 3065, Australia
| | - Sunjeev K Kamboj
- Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Victoria Manning
- Monash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Turning Point, Eastern Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John Gleeson
- Digital Innovations in Mental Health and Well-being Program, Healthy Brain and Mind Research Centre, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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14
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Pagni BA, Hill E, Walsh MJM, Delaney S, Ogbeama D, Monahan L, Cook JR, Guerithault N, Dixon MV, Ballard L, Braden BB. Distinct and shared therapeutic neural mechanisms of mindfulness-based and social support stress reduction groups in adults with autism spectrum disorder. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2023; 48:E102-E114. [PMID: 36990468 PMCID: PMC10065804 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.220159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) alleviates depression and anxiety in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, underlying therapeutic neural mechanisms and mindfulness-specific effects have yet to be elucidated. METHODS We randomly assigned adults with ASD to MBSR or social support/education (SE). They completed questionnaires that assessed depression, anxiety, mindfulness traits, autistic traits and executive functioning abilities as well as a self-reflection functional MRI task. We used repeated-measures analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to evaluate behavioural changes. To identify task-specific connectivity changes, we performed a generalized psychophysiological interactions (gPPI) functional connectivity (FC) analysis on regions of interest (ROIs; insula, amygdala, cingulum and prefrontal cortex [PFC]). We used Pearson correlations to explore brain-behaviour relationships. RESULTS Our final sample included 78 adults with ASD - 39 who received MBSR and 39 who received SE. Mindfulness-based stress reduction uniquely improved executive functioning abilities and increased mindfulness traits, whereas both MBSR and SE groups showed reductions in depression, anxiety and autistic traits. Decreases specific to MBSR in insula-thalamus FC were associated with anxiety reduction and increased mindfulness traits, including the trait "nonjudgment;" MBSR-specific decreases in PFC-posterior cingulate connectivity correlated with improved working memory. Both groups showed decreased amygdala-sensorimotor and medial-lateral PFC connectivity, which corresponded with reduced depression. LIMITATIONS Larger sample sizes and neuropsychological evaluations are needed to replicate and extend these findings. CONCLUSION Together, our findings suggest that MBSR and SE are similarly efficacious for depression, anxiety and autistic traits, whereas MBSR produced additional salutary effects related to executive functioning and mindfulness traits. Findings from gPPI identified shared and distinct therapeutic neural mechanisms, implicating the default mode and salience networks. Our results mark an early step toward the development of personalized medicine for psychiatric symptoms in ASD and offer novel neural targets for future neurostimulation research. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04017793.
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Affiliation(s)
- Broc A Pagni
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Ethan Hill
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Melissa J M Walsh
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Shanna Delaney
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Destiny Ogbeama
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Leanna Monahan
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | - James R Cook
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | | | - Maria V Dixon
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Lisa Ballard
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
| | - B Blair Braden
- From Arizona State University, College of Health Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
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15
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Zhou D, Kang Y, Cosme D, Jovanova M, He X, Mahadevan A, Ahn J, Stanoi O, Brynildsen JK, Cooper N, Cornblath EJ, Parkes L, Mucha PJ, Ochsner KN, Lydon-Staley DM, Falk EB, Bassett DS. Mindful attention promotes control of brain network dynamics for self-regulation and discontinues the past from the present. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2201074119. [PMID: 36595675 PMCID: PMC9926276 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201074119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindful attention is characterized by acknowledging the present experience as a transient mental event. Early stages of mindfulness practice may require greater neural effort for later efficiency. Early effort may self-regulate behavior and focalize the present, but this understanding lacks a computational explanation. Here we used network control theory as a model of how external control inputs-operationalizing effort-distribute changes in neural activity evoked during mindful attention across the white matter network. We hypothesized that individuals with greater network controllability, thereby efficiently distributing control inputs, effectively self-regulate behavior. We further hypothesized that brain regions that utilize greater control input exhibit shorter intrinsic timescales of neural activity. Shorter timescales characterize quickly discontinuing past processing to focalize the present. We tested these hypotheses in a randomized controlled study that primed participants to either mindfully respond or naturally react to alcohol cues during fMRI and administered text reminders and measurements of alcohol consumption during 4 wk postscan. We found that participants with greater network controllability moderated alcohol consumption. Mindful regulation of alcohol cues, compared to one's own natural reactions, reduced craving, but craving did not differ from the baseline group. Mindful regulation of alcohol cues, compared to the natural reactions of the baseline group, involved more-effortful control of neural dynamics across cognitive control and attention subnetworks. This effort persisted in the natural reactions of the mindful group compared to the baseline group. More-effortful neural states had shorter timescales than less effortful states, offering an explanation for how mindful attention promotes being present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale Zhou
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Yoona Kang
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Danielle Cosme
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Mia Jovanova
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Xiaosong He
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, 230026 Hefei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Arun Mahadevan
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Jeesung Ahn
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Ovidia Stanoi
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY 19104
| | - Julia K. Brynildsen
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Nicole Cooper
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Eli J. Cornblath
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Linden Parkes
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Peter J. Mucha
- Department of Mathematics, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755
| | - Kevin N. Ochsner
- Department of Psychology, Columbia University, New York, NY 19104
| | - David M. Lydon-Staley
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Emily B. Falk
- Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Marketing Department, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Dani S. Bassett
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Physics & Astronomy, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM 87501
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16
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Guu SF, Chao YP, Huang FY, Cheng YT, Ng HYH, Hsu CF, Chuang CH, Huang CM, Wu CW. Interoceptive awareness: MBSR training alters information processing of salience network. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1008086. [PMID: 37025109 PMCID: PMC10070746 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1008086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness refers to a mental state of awareness of internal experience without judgment. Studies have suggested that each mindfulness practice may involve a unique mental state, but the underlying neurophysiological mechanisms remain unknown. Here we examined how distinct mindfulness practices after mindfulness-based intervention alter brain functionality. Specifically, we investigated the functional alterations of the salience network (SN) using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) among the two interoceptive mindfulness practices-breathing and body scan-associated with interoceptive awareness in fixed attention and shifted attention, respectively. Long-distance functional connectivity (FC) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) approaches were applied to measure distant and local neural information processing across various mental states. We hypothesized that mindful breathing and body scan would yield a unique information processing pattern in terms of long-range and local functional connectivity (FC). A total of 18 meditation-naïve participants were enrolled in an 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program alongside a waitlist control group (n = 14), with both groups undergoing multiple fMRI sessions during breathing, body scan and resting state for comparison. We demonstrated that two mindfulness practices affect both the long-distance FC SN and the local ReHo, only apparent after the MBSR program. Three functional distinctions between the mindfulness practices and the resting state are noted: (1) distant SN connectivity to occipital regions increased during the breathing practice (fixed attention), whereas the SN increased connection with the frontal/central gyri during the body scan (shifting attention); (2) local ReHo increased only in the parietal lobe during the body scan (shifting attention); (3) distant and local connections turned into a positive correlation only during the mindfulness practices after the MBSR training, indicating a global enhancement of the SN information processing during mindfulness practices. Though with limited sample size, the functional specificity of mindfulness practices offers a potential research direction on neuroimaging of mindfulness, awaiting further studies for verification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiao-Fei Guu
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Chao
- Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Ying Huang
- Department of Education, National Taipei University of Education, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Hei-Yin Hydra Ng
- Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fen Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Hsiang Chuang
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mao Huang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-Devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Chih-Mao Huang,
| | - Changwei W. Wu
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain and Consciousness Research Center, Shuang Ho Hospital-Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan
- Changwei W. Wu,
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17
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Antezana L, Coffman MC, DiCriscio AS, Richey JA. Effects of nonsocial and circumscribed interest images on neural mechanisms of emotion regulation in autistic adults. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:1057736. [PMID: 36570705 PMCID: PMC9771392 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1057736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Emotion dysregulation is commonly reported among autistic individuals. Prior work investigating the neurofunctional mechanisms of emotion regulation (ER) in autistic adults has illustrated alterations in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) activity, as well as concurrent atypical patterns of activation in subcortical regions related to affect during cognitive reappraisal of social images. Whereas most research examining ER in autism has focused on regulation of negative emotions, the effects of regulating positive emotions has been generally understudied. This is surprising given the relevance of positive motivational states to understanding circumscribed interests (CI) in autism. Methods Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to use fMRI with simultaneous eye-tracking and pupillometry to investigate the neural mechanisms of ER during passive viewing and cognitive reappraisal of a standardized set of nonsocial images and personalized (self-selected) CI images. Results The autistic group demonstrated comparatively reduced modulation of posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) activation during cognitive reappraisal of CI images compared to viewing of CI, although no eye-tracking/pupillometry differences emerged between-groups. Further, the autistic group demonstrated increased PCC connectivity with left lateral occipital and right supramarginal areas when engaging in cognitive reappraisal vs. viewing CI. Discussion In autistic adults, CI may be differentially modulated via PCC. Considering the documented role of the PCC as a core hub of the default mode network, we further postulate that ER of CI could potentially be related to self-referential cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia Antezana
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Marika C. Coffman
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | | | - John A. Richey
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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18
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Isham A, Elf P, Jackson T. Self-transcendent experiences as promoters of ecological wellbeing? Exploration of the evidence and hypotheses to be tested. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1051478. [PMID: 36452396 PMCID: PMC9701724 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1051478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, much has been written on the role of different mental states and their potential to influence our way of thinking and, perhaps more importantly, the way we act. With the recent acceleration of environmental and mental health issues, alongside the limited effectiveness of existing interventions, an exploration of new approaches to deliver transformative change is required. We therefore explore the emerging potential of a type of mental state known as self-transcendent experiences (STEs) as a driver of ecological wellbeing. We focus on four types of STEs: those facilitated by experiences of flow, awe, and mindfulness, as well as by psychedelic-induced experiences. Some of these experiences can occur naturally, through sometimes unexpected encounters with nature or during immersion in every-day activities that one intrinsically enjoys, as well as through more intentional practices such as meditation or the administration of psychedelics in controlled, legal settings. We explore the evidence base linking each of the four types of STE to ecological wellbeing before proposing potential hypotheses to be tested to understand why STEs can have such beneficial effects. We end by looking at the factors that might need to be considered if STEs are going to be practically implemented as a means of achieving ecological wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Isham
- Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom
| | - Patrick Elf
- Middlesex University Business School, Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research (CEEDR), Middlesex University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Jackson
- Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP), Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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19
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Cooper AC, Ventura B, Northoff G. Beyond the veil of duality-topographic reorganization model of meditation. Neurosci Conscious 2022; 2022:niac013. [PMID: 36237370 PMCID: PMC9552929 DOI: 10.1093/nc/niac013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation can exert a profound impact on our mental life, with proficient practitioners often reporting an experience free of boundaries between a separate self and the environment, suggesting an explicit experience of "nondual awareness." What are the neural correlates of such experiences and how do they relate to the idea of nondual awareness itself? In order to unravel the effects that meditation has on the brain's spatial topography, we review functional magnetic resonance imaging brain findings from studies specific to an array of meditation types and meditator experience levels. We also review findings from studies that directly probe the interaction between meditation and the experience of the self. The main results are (i) decreased posterior default mode network (DMN) activity, (ii) increased central executive network (CEN) activity, (iii) decreased connectivity within posterior DMN as well as between posterior and anterior DMN, (iv) increased connectivity within the anterior DMN and CEN, and (v) significantly impacted connectivity between the DMN and CEN (likely a nonlinear phenomenon). Together, these suggest a profound organizational shift of the brain's spatial topography in advanced meditators-we therefore propose a topographic reorganization model of meditation (TRoM). One core component of the TRoM is that the topographic reorganization of DMN and CEN is related to a decrease in the mental-self-processing along with a synchronization with the more nondual layers of self-processing, notably interoceptive and exteroceptive-self-processing. This reorganization of the functionality of both brain and self-processing can result in the explicit experience of nondual awareness. In conclusion, this review provides insight into the profound neural effects of advanced meditation and proposes a result-driven unifying model (TRoM) aimed at identifying the inextricably tied objective (neural) and subjective (experiential) effects of meditation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Clinton Cooper
- Integrated Program of Neuroscience, Room 302, Irving Ludmer Building, 1033 Pine Avenue W., McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A 1A1, Canada
| | - Bianca Ventura
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
| | - Georg Northoff
- Mind, Brain Imaging and Neuroethics Research Unit, Institute of Mental Health Research, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Mental Health Center, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, China
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20
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Krishna D, Prasanna K, Angadi B, Singh BK, Anurag S, Deepeshwar S. Heartfulness Meditation Alters Electroencephalogram Oscillations: An Electroencephalogram Study. Int J Yoga 2022; 15:205-214. [PMID: 36949832 PMCID: PMC10026341 DOI: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_138_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heartfulness meditation (HM) has been shown to have positive impacts on cognition and well-being, which makes it important to look into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the phenomenon. Aim A cross-sectional study was conducted on HM meditators and nonmeditators to assess frontal electrical activities of the brain and self-reported anxiety and mindfulness. Settings and Design The present study employed a cross-sectional design. Methods Sixty-one participants were recruited, 28 heartfulness meditators (average age male: 31.54 ± 4.2 years and female: 30.04 ± 7.1 years) and 33 nonmeditators (average age male: 25 ± 8.5 years and female: 23.45 ± 6.5 years). An electroencephalogram (EEG) was employed to assess brain activity during baseline (5 min), meditation (10 min), transmission (10 min) and post (5 min). Self-reported mindfulness and anxiety were also collected in the present study. The EEG power spectral density (PSD) and coherence were processed using MATLAB. The statistical analysis was performed using an independent sample t-test for trait mindfulness and anxiety, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for state mindfulness and anxiety, and Two-way multivariate ANOVA for EEG spectral frequency and coherence. Results The results showed higher state and trait mindfulness, P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively, and lower state and trait anxiety, P < 0.05 and P < 0.05, respectively. The PSD outcomes showed higher theta (P < 0.001) and alpha (P < 0.01); lower beta (P < 0.001) and delta (P < 0.05) power in HM meditators compared to nonmeditators. Similarly, higher coherence was found in the theta (P < 0.01), alpha (P < 0.05), and beta (P < 0.01) bands in HM meditators. Conclusions These findings suggest that HM practice may result in wakeful relaxation and internalized attention that can influence cognition and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dwivedi Krishna
- Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Basavaraj Angadi
- Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Bikesh Kumar Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Shrivastava Anurag
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Singh Deepeshwar
- Division of Yoga and Life Sciences, Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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21
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Gomutbutra P, Srikamjak T, Sapinun L, Kunaphanh S, Yingchankul N, Apaijai N, Shinlapawittayatorn K, Phuackchantuck R, Chattipakorn N, Chattipakorn S. Effect of intensive weekend mindfulness-based intervention on BDNF, mitochondria function, and anxiety. A randomized, crossover clinical trial. COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHONEUROENDOCRINOLOGY 2022; 11:100137. [PMID: 35757176 PMCID: PMC9216335 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The previous metanalysis found that Mind-body intervention (MBI) improves neuropsychologic well-being and may increase brain-derived growth factor (BDNF). BDNF is a neurotrophic factor related to neuroplasticity. Objective To evaluate the effect of the short intensive MBI compared to control-relaxation on Site on BDNF and examine if this change is related to mitochondria function or stress-related neurohormonal activity. Methods Randomized, controlled, two-period cross-over trial conducted in a medical center in Thailand. Healthy-meditation naive Nurse and Occupational Therapy Students, 23 assigned randomly to MBI, and 24 relaxations at the site for 8 h during the weekend. The wash-out period was three months between the two periods. All volunteers took the blood test for BDNF, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), Cortisol, and Heart rate variability (HRV) measurement before and Visual Analogue Scale for Anxiety (VAS-A), forward and backward digit span after each period. Results A total of 40 participants finished the trials. The cross over trial analysis showed a significant treatment effect between MBI and Relaxation on-site for the mean VAS-A as 9.89 (95% CI 4.81 to 19.47; P = 0.001), serum BDNF as 1.24 (95% CI 0.16 to 2.32; P = 0.04), and OXPHOS complex-1 was decreased 0.41 (95% CI 0.03-0.29 p = 0.03). There were no significant differences for digit span, cortisol, and HRV. Conclusion In healthy meditation naïve females, even a short period of MBI may increase serum BDNF and reduce anxiety more than relaxation on-site. The more reduction of OXPHOS complex-1 in the mindfulness group suggests oxidative stress may be a more sensitive indicator than stress-related neurohormonal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patama Gomutbutra
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- The Northern Neuroscience Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
| | - Tiam Srikamjak
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
| | - Ladarat Sapinun
- The Nursing Service Division, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand
| | - Sukonta Kunaphanh
- The Nursing Service Division, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand
| | - Nalinee Yingchankul
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
| | - Nattayaporn Apaijai
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
| | - Krekwit Shinlapawittayatorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
| | - Rochana Phuackchantuck
- Research Administration Section, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Nipon Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Cardiac Electrophysiology Research, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Unit, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
| | - Siriporn Chattipakorn
- Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
- Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
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22
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Rahrig H, Vago DR, Passarelli MA, Auten A, Lynn NA, Brown KW. Meta-analytic evidence that mindfulness training alters resting state default mode network connectivity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12260. [PMID: 35851275 PMCID: PMC9293892 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This meta-analysis sought to expand upon neurobiological models of mindfulness through investigation of inherent brain network connectivity outcomes, indexed via resting state functional connectivity (rsFC). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of rsFC as an outcome of mindfulness training (MT) relative to control, with the hypothesis that MT would increase cross-network connectivity between nodes of the Default Mode Network (DMN), Salience Network (SN), and Frontoparietal Control Network (FPCN) as a mechanism of internally-oriented attentional control. Texts were identified from the databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, ERIC, PSYCINFO, ProQuest, Scopus, and Web of Sciences; and were screened for inclusion based on experimental/quasi-experimental trial design and use of mindfulness-based training interventions. RsFC effects were extracted from twelve studies (mindfulness n = 226; control n = 204). Voxel-based meta-analysis revealed significantly greater rsFC (MT > control) between the left middle cingulate (Hedge's g = .234, p = 0.0288, I2 = 15.87), located within the SN, and the posterior cingulate cortex, a focal hub of the DMN. Egger's test for publication bias was nonsignificant, bias = 2.17, p = 0.162. In support of our hypothesis, results suggest that MT targets internetwork (SN-DMN) connectivity implicated in the flexible control of internally-oriented attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadley Rahrig
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
| | - David R Vago
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, USA, TN
| | - Matthew A Passarelli
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
| | - Allison Auten
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
| | - Nicholas A Lynn
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA
| | - Kirk Warren Brown
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, 806 W. Franklin Street, Richmond, VA, 23284, USA.
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23
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Kral TRA, Lapate RC, Imhoff-Smith T, Patsenko E, Grupe DW, Goldman R, Rosenkranz MA, Davidson RJ. Long-term Meditation Training Is Associated with Enhanced Subjective Attention and Stronger Posterior Cingulate-Rostrolateral Prefrontal Cortex Resting Connectivity. J Cogn Neurosci 2022; 34:1576-1589. [PMID: 35704552 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_01881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Mindfulness meditation has been shown to increase resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) between the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), which is thought to reflect improvements in shifting attention to the present moment. However, prior research in long-term meditation practitioners lacked quantitative measures of attention that would provide a more direct behavioral correlate and interpretational anchor for PCC-DLPFC connectivity and was inherently limited by small sample sizes. Moreover, whether mindfulness meditation primarily impacts brain function locally, or impacts the dynamics of large-scale brain networks, remained unclear. Here, we sought to replicate and extend prior findings of increased PCC-DLPFC rsFC in a sample of 40 long-term meditators (average practice = 3759 hr) who also completed a behavioral assay of attention. In addition, we tested a network-based framework of changes in interregional connectivity by examining network-level connectivity. We found that meditators had stronger PCC-rostrolateral pFC rsFC, lower connector hub strength across the default mode network, and better subjective attention, compared with 124 meditation-naive controls. Orienting attention positively correlated with PCC-rostrolateral pFC connectivity and negatively correlated with default mode network connector hub strength. These findings provide novel evidence that PCC-rostrolateral pFC rsFC may support attention orienting, consistent with a role for rostrolateral pFC in the attention shifting component of metacognitive awareness that is a core component of mindfulness meditation training. Our results further demonstrate that long-term mindfulness meditation may improve attention and strengthen the underlying brain networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Regina C Lapate
- University of Wisconsin-Madison.,University of California, Los Angeles
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24
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Kral TRA, Davis K, Korponay C, Hirshberg MJ, Hoel R, Tello LY, Goldman RI, Rosenkranz MA, Lutz A, Davidson RJ. Absence of structural brain changes from mindfulness-based stress reduction: Two combined randomized controlled trials. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk3316. [PMID: 35594344 PMCID: PMC9122316 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk3316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Studies purporting to show changes in brain structure following the popular, 8-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course are widely referenced despite major methodological limitations. Here, we present findings from a large, combined dataset of two, three-arm randomized controlled trials with active and waitlist (WL) control groups. Meditation-naïve participants (n = 218) completed structural magnetic resonance imaging scans during two visits: baseline and postintervention period. After baseline, participants were randomly assigned to WL (n = 70), an 8-week MBSR program (n = 75), or a validated, matched active control (n = 73). We assessed changes in gray matter volume, gray matter density, and cortical thickness. In the largest and most rigorously controlled study to date, we failed to replicate prior findings and found no evidence that MBSR produced neuroplastic changes compared to either control group, either at the whole-brain level or in regions of interest drawn from prior MBSR studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammi R. A. Kral
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Healthy Minds Innovations, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kaley Davis
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Cole Korponay
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Rachel Hoel
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lawrence Y. Tello
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Robin I. Goldman
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Melissa A. Rosenkranz
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Antoine Lutz
- Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
| | - Richard J. Davidson
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Waisman Laboratory for Brain Imaging and Behavior, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Healthy Minds Innovations, Madison, WI, USA
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25
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Sezer I, Pizzagalli DA, Sacchet MD. Resting-state fMRI functional connectivity and mindfulness in clinical and non-clinical contexts: A review and synthesis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104583. [PMID: 35202647 PMCID: PMC9083081 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This review synthesizes relations between mindfulness and resting-state fMRI functional connectivity of brain networks. Mindfulness is characterized by present-moment awareness and experiential acceptance, and relies on attention control, self-awareness, and emotion regulation. We integrate studies of functional connectivity and (1) trait mindfulness and (2) mindfulness meditation interventions. Mindfulness is related to functional connectivity in the default mode (DMN), frontoparietal (FPN), and salience (SN) networks. Specifically, mindfulness-mediated functional connectivity changes include (1) increased connectivity between posterior cingulate cortex (DMN) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (FPN), which may relate to attention control; (2) decreased connectivity between cuneus and SN, which may relate to self-awareness; (3) increased connectivity between rostral anterior cingulate cortex region and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMN) and decreased connectivity between rostral anterior cingulate cortex region and amygdala region, both of which may relate to emotion regulation; and lastly, (4) increased connectivity between dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (SN) and anterior insula (SN) which may relate to pain relief. While further study of mindfulness is needed, neural signatures of mindfulness are emerging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idil Sezer
- Center for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA; Paris Brain Institute, Sorbonne University/CNRS/INSERM, Paris, France.
| | - Diego A Pizzagalli
- Center for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA; McLean Imaging Center, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
| | - Matthew D Sacchet
- Center for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Research, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA.
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26
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Snyder AZ, Nishino T, Shimony JS, Lenze EJ, Wetherell JL, Voegtle M, Miller JP, Yingling MD, Marcus D, Gurney J, Rutlin J, Scott D, Eyler L, Barch D. Covariance and Correlation Analysis of Resting State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data Acquired in a Clinical Trial of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Exercise in Older Individuals. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:825547. [PMID: 35368291 PMCID: PMC8971902 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.825547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe and apply novel methodology for whole-brain analysis of resting state fMRI functional connectivity data, combining conventional multi-channel Pearson correlation with covariance analysis. Unlike correlation, covariance analysis preserves signal amplitude information, which feature of fMRI time series may carry physiological significance. Additionally, we demonstrate that dimensionality reduction of the fMRI data offers several computational advantages including projection onto a space of manageable dimension, enabling linear operations on functional connectivity measures and exclusion of variance unrelated to resting state network structure. We show that group-averaged, dimensionality reduced, covariance and correlation matrices are related, to reasonable approximation, by a single scalar factor. We apply this methodology to the analysis of a large, resting state fMRI data set acquired in a prospective, controlled study of mindfulness training and exercise in older, sedentary participants at risk for developing cognitive decline. Results show marginally significant effects of both mindfulness training and exercise in both covariance and correlation measures of functional connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abraham Z. Snyder
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Tomoyuki Nishino
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Joshua S. Shimony
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Eric J. Lenze
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Julie Loebach Wetherell
- VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Michelle Voegtle
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - J. Philip Miller
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Michael D. Yingling
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Daniel Marcus
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jenny Gurney
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jerrel Rutlin
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Drew Scott
- Master of Social Welfare Program, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Lisa Eyler
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Deanna Barch
- Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States
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27
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Guendelman S, Bayer M, Prehn K, Dziobek I. Towards a mechanistic understanding of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) using an RCT neuroimaging approach: Effects on regulating own stress in social and non-social situations. Neuroimage 2022; 254:119059. [PMID: 35259523 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119059] [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: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Although much research has shown that mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can reduce psychological stress, it is less clear if effects generalize to everyday social situations, which range among the largest stress triggers. Furthermore, mechanisms of MBIs have not been fully established. Emotion regulation (ER) has been suggested as one key mechanism, yet the role of cognitive reappraisal and acceptance strategies is still under debate. To address these questions, a neuroimaging-based randomized controlled trial (RCT) was performed (n=68), comparing mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) with a reading/listening intervention (READ), using a novel dyadic paradigm for self and other emotion regulation under stress as primary outcome on behavior and brain levels and established empathy measures (clinicatrials.gov NCT03035669). Compared to READ, MBSR led to self-reported stress reduction through both cognitive reappraisal and acceptance only when regulating self and not when regulating others' distress. In addition, MBSR led to increased brain activation over time for regulating own (parietal cortex) and others' (precuneus, TPJ) emotions through cognitive reappraisal and acceptance, albeit this effect was also seen for the reading intervention for regulating own stress via reappraisal. Brain changes did not scale with subjective stress reduction and amount of meditation practice. More distant generalization effects of MBSR on socio-emotional functioning (cognitive empathy and compassion) could also not be shown. This study identified both cognitive reappraisal and acceptance as two ER mechanisms of MBSR, but indicates that effects do not extend to social settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simón Guendelman
- Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Institute of Psychology. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mareike Bayer
- Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Institute of Psychology. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kristin Prehn
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg - University of Applied Sciences and Medical University, Am Kaiserkai 1, 20457 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Isabel Dziobek
- Clinical Psychology of Social Interaction, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Institute of Psychology. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117, Berlin, Germany
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28
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Sun S, Sheridan M, Tyrka A, Donofry SD, Erickson K, Loucks E. Addressing the biological embedding of early life adversities (ELA) among adults through mindfulness: Proposed mechanisms and review of converging evidence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 134:104526. [PMID: 34998833 PMCID: PMC8844271 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Early life adversities (ELA) are prevalent and have a profound and adverse impact across the lifespan, including on age-related health outcomes, yet interventions to remediate its adverse impact are scarce. This paper presents evidence for mindfulness training to reduce the elevated mental and physical health risks linked to ELA among adults by targeting biological mechanisms of ELA leading to these adverse health outcomes. We first provide a brief overview of ELA, its adverse health impacts, and mechanisms that might be responsible. Next, we review converging evidence that demonstrates that mindfulness training influences key biological pathways involved in ELA-linked negative health consequences, including (a) brain networks involved in self-regulation, (b) immunity and inflammation, (c) telomere biology, and (d) epigenetic modifications. Further, we review preliminary evidence from mindfulness-based trials that focused on populations impacted by ELA. We discuss limitations of this review and provide recommendations for future research. If effective, a mindfulness-based approach could be an important public health strategy for remediating the adverse mental and physical health consequences of ELA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shufang Sun
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, United States; Mindfulness Center at Brown University, United States.
| | - Margaret Sheridan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Audrey Tyrka
- Initiative on Stress, Trauma, and Resilience, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown University Alpert Medical School
| | | | - Kirk Erickson
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Eric Loucks
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health,Mindfulness Center at Brown University
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29
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Moss AS, Reibel DK, Wintering N, Vedaei F, Porter H, Khosravi M, Heholt J, Alizadeh M, Mohamed FB, Newberg AB. Cerebral Blood Flow and Brain Functional Connectivity Changes in Older Adults Participating in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program. Behav Sci (Basel) 2022; 12:bs12020048. [PMID: 35200299 PMCID: PMC8869750 DOI: 10.3390/bs12020048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing interest in the potential beneficial effects of mindfulness meditation training in protecting against age-related physical, emotional, and cognitive decline. The current prospective, single-center, single-arm study investigated if functional magnetic resonance imaging-based changes in cerebral blood flow and brain functional connectivity could be observed in 11 elderly adults (mean age 79) after participation in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program. The results showed significantly (p < 0.05) altered cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity in the cingulate gyrus, limbic structures, and subregions of the temporal and frontal lobes, similar to findings of other meditation-related studies in younger populations. Furthermore, these changes were also associated with significant improvements in depression symptoms. This study suggests that the MBSR program can potentially modify cerebral blood flow and connectivity in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleeze Sattar Moss
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.S.M.); (D.K.R.); (N.W.); (H.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Diane K. Reibel
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.S.M.); (D.K.R.); (N.W.); (H.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Nancy Wintering
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.S.M.); (D.K.R.); (N.W.); (H.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Faezeh Vedaei
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (F.V.); (M.A.); (F.B.M.)
| | - Hannah Porter
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.S.M.); (D.K.R.); (N.W.); (H.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Mohsen Khosravi
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.S.M.); (D.K.R.); (N.W.); (H.P.); (M.K.)
| | - Justin Heholt
- Department of Surgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA;
| | - Mahdi Alizadeh
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (F.V.); (M.A.); (F.B.M.)
| | - Feroze B. Mohamed
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (F.V.); (M.A.); (F.B.M.)
| | - Andrew B. Newberg
- Department of Integrative Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (A.S.M.); (D.K.R.); (N.W.); (H.P.); (M.K.)
- Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA; (F.V.); (M.A.); (F.B.M.)
- Correspondence:
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Strikwerda-Brown C, Ozlen H, Pichet Binette A, Chapleau M, Marchant NL, Breitner JC, Villeneuve S. Trait Mindfulness Is Associated With Less Amyloid, Tau, and Cognitive Decline in Individuals at Risk for Alzheimer's Disease. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 3:130-138. [PMID: 36712573 PMCID: PMC9874144 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mindfulness, defined as nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment, has been associated with an array of mental and physical health benefits. Mindfulness may also represent a protective factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we tested the potential protective effect of trait mindfulness on cognitive decline and AD pathology in older adults at risk for AD dementia. Methods Measures of trait mindfulness, longitudinal cognitive assessments, and amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau positron emission tomography scans were collected in 261 nondemented older adults with a family history of AD dementia from the PREVENT-AD (Pre-symptomatic Evaluation of Experimental or Novel Treatments for AD) observational cohort study. Multivariate partial least squares analyses were used to examine relationships between combinations of different facets of trait mindfulness and 1) cognitive decline, 2) Aβ, and 3) tau. Results Higher levels of mindful nonjudgment, describing, and nonreactivity were associated with less cognitive decline in attention, global cognition, and immediate and delayed memory. Higher levels of mindful nonjudgment and nonreactivity were related to less Aβ positron emission tomography signal in bilateral medial and lateral temporoparietal and frontal regions. Higher levels of mindful acting with awareness, describing, nonjudgment, and nonreactivity were associated with less tau positron emission tomography signal in bilateral medial and lateral temporal regions. Conclusions Trait mindfulness was associated with less cognitive decline and less Aβ and tau in the brain in older adults at risk for AD dementia. Longitudinal studies examining the temporal relationship between trait mindfulness and AD markers, along with mindfulness intervention studies, will be important for further clarifying the potential protective benefits of mindfulness on AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cherie Strikwerda-Brown
- Centre for Studies on the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,Cherie Strikwerda-Brown, Ph.D.
| | - Hazal Ozlen
- Centre for Studies on the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexa Pichet Binette
- Centre for Studies on the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,McGill Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marianne Chapleau
- Centre for Studies on the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Natalie L. Marchant
- Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Brain Sciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - John C.S. Breitner
- Centre for Studies on the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sylvia Villeneuve
- Centre for Studies on the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,McGill Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada,Address correspondence to Sylvia Villeneuve, Ph.D.
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31
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Rebello-Sanchez I, Vasquez-Avila K, Parente J, Pacheco-Barrios K, De Melo PS, Teixeira PE, Jong K, Caumo W, Fregni F. Insights and Future Directions on the Combined Effects of Mind-Body Therapies with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: An Evidence-based Review. THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF PHYSICAL AND REHABILITATION MEDICINE 2022; 5:129-148. [PMID: 36583065 PMCID: PMC9797000 DOI: 10.4103/ijprm.jisprm-000167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mind-body therapies (MBTs) use mental abilities to modify electrical neural activity across brain networks. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that modulates neuronal membrane potentials to enhance neuroplasticity. A combination of these treatment strategies may generate synergistic or additive effects, and thus has been more commonly tested in clinical trials, fostering a novel yet promising field of research. We conducted a literature search in four different databases including only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that tested the combination of MBTs with tDCS. Ten studies (n=461) were included. Combined protocols included meditation/mindfulness (8/10), biofeedback (1/10), and hypnosis (1/10). The RCTs were heterogeneous with regards to population, design, and types of outcomes. Based on the findings of this search, we provide here a content description, methodological and practical insights, and future directions for the field. We hope this review will provide future authors with information to facilitate the development of trials with improved protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Rebello-Sanchez
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96-13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karen Vasquez-Avila
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96-13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joao Parente
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96-13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin Pacheco-Barrios
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96-13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA,Research Unit for the Generation and Synthesis of Evidence in Health, San Ignacio de Loyola University, Lima, Peru
| | - Paulo S. De Melo
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96-13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Paulo E.P. Teixeira
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96-13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kian Jong
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Wolnei Caumo
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil,Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Felipe Fregni
- Neuromodulation Center and Center for Clinical Research Learning, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 96-13th Street, Charlestown, Boston, MA, USA
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Wang J, Ren F, Gao B, Yu X. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Recurrent MDD Patients With Residual Symptoms: Alterations in Resting-State Theta Oscillation Dynamics Associated With Changes in Depression and Rumination. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:818298. [PMID: 35321228 PMCID: PMC8936084 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.818298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) suffer from residual symptoms. Rumination is a specific known risk factor for the onset, severity, prolongation, and relapse of MDD. This study aimed to examine the efficacy and EEG substrates of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in alleviating depression and rumination in an MDD population with residual symptoms. We recruited 26 recurrent MDD individuals who had residual symptoms with their current antidepressants to participate in the 8-week MBCT intervention. We evaluated the efficacy and changes in the dynamics of resting-state theta rhythm after the intervention, as well as the associations between theta alterations and improvements in depression and rumination. The participants showed reduced depression, enhanced adaptive reflective rumination, and increased theta power and phase synchronization after MBCT. The increased theta-band phase synchronizations between the right occipital regions and the right prefrontal, central, and parietal regions were associated with reduced depression, while the increase in theta power in the left parietal region was associated with improvements in reflective rumination. MBCT could alleviate depression and enhance adaptive, reflective rumination in recurrent MDD individuals with residual symptoms through the modulation of theta dynamics in specific brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China
| | - Feng Ren
- Peking University Shougang Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bingling Gao
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yu
- National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University Sixth Hospital (Institute of Mental Health), Beijing, China
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33
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Dehghan M, Namjoo Z, Mohammadi Akbarabadi F, Fooladi Z, Zakeri MA. The relationship between anxiety, stress, spiritual health, and mindfulness among patients undergoing hemodialysis: A survey during the COVID-19 outbreak in Southeast Iran. Health Sci Rep 2021; 4:e461. [PMID: 34938901 PMCID: PMC8670730 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hemodialysis patients are prone to high stress and anxiety related to the acute coronavirus epidemic. Mindfulness and spiritual health are among the factors associated with stressful and anxious situations. The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between mindfulness, spiritual health, and coronavirus stress/anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis. METHODS One hundred and forty-four patients underwent hemodialysis participated in this cross-sectional study. Patients completed the Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Form, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS), stress subscale of DASS-21, The Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory- Short Form (FMI-SF), and Spiritual Health Scale. RESULTS The results showed that 28.5% of the participants had moderate to severe anxiety. According to the psychological symptom subscale (CDAS), 54.2% of the participants had moderate to severe anxiety. According to the physical symptom subscale, 41.7% of the participants had moderate to severe anxiety. Sixteen percent of the patients believed that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and lockdown influenced their course of treatment. A significant association was found between coronavirus disease anxiety and mindfulness (r = -0.20, P < .05). No significant association was found between stress and mindfulness/spiritual health (P > .05). CONCLUSION The results of this study showed that coronavirus anxiety and stress are common in hemodialysis patients. Mindfulness may be effective in reducing coronavirus anxiety in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, interventions are suggested to increase the level of mindfulness and empower hemodialysis patients to cope with anxiety caused by crises such as the coronavirus outbreak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahlagha Dehghan
- Nursing Research CenterKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
| | - Zakieh Namjoo
- Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and MidwiferyKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
| | | | - Zahra Fooladi
- Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and MidwiferyKerman University of Medical SciencesKermanIran
| | - Mohammad Ali Zakeri
- Non‐Communicable Diseases Research CenterRafsanjan University of Medical SciencesRafsanjanIran
- Social Determinants of Health Research CentreRafsanjan University of Medical SciencesRafsanjanIran
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Ng HYH, Wu CW, Huang FY, Cheng YT, Guu SF, Huang CM, Hsu CF, Chao YP, Jung TP, Chuang CH. Mindfulness Training Associated With Resting-State Electroencephalograms Dynamics in Novice Practitioners via Mindful Breathing and Body-Scan. Front Psychol 2021; 12:748584. [PMID: 34777144 PMCID: PMC8581621 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.748584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Mindfulness-based stress reduction has been proven to improve mental health and quality of life. This study examined how mindfulness training and various types of mindfulness practices altered brain activity. Methods: Specifically, the spectral powers of scalp electroencephalography of the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group (n=17) who underwent an 8-week MBSR training-including mindful breathing and body-scan-were evaluated and compared with those of the waitlist controls (n=14). Results: Empirical results indicated that the post-intervention effect of MBSR significantly elevated the resting-state beta powers and reduced resting-state delta powers in both practices; such changes were not observed in the waitlist control. Compared with mindful breathing, body-scanning resulted in an overall decline in electroencephalograms (EEG) spectral powers at both delta and low-gamma bands among trained participants. Conclusion: Together with our preliminary data of expert mediators, the aforementioned spectral changes were salient after intervention, but mitigated along with expertise. Additionally, after receiving training, the MBSR group's mindfulness and emotion regulation levels improved significantly, which were correlated with the EEG spectral changes in the theta, alpha, and low-beta bands. The results supported that MBSR might function as a unique internal processing tool that involves increased vigilant capability and induces alterations similar to other cognitive training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hei-Yin Hydra Ng
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Educational Psychology and Counseling, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Changwei W. Wu
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain and Consciousness Research Center, Shuang Ho Hospital-Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Ying Huang
- Department of Education, National Taipei University of Education, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Ting Cheng
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiao-Fei Guu
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mao Huang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS2B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Fen Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Behavioral Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Chao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Ping Jung
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute for Neural Computation and Institute of Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Chun-Hsiang Chuang
- Research Center for Education and Mind Sciences, College of Education, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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35
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Prakash RS. Mindfulness Meditation: Impact on Attentional Control and Emotion Dysregulation. ARCHIVES OF CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF NEUROPSYCHOLOGISTS 2021; 36:1283-1290. [PMID: 34651648 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acab053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Theoretical models of mindfulness meditation conceptualize the cultivation of focused attention and regulation of emotional states, with the attitudinal foundations that promote nonjudgment and acceptance, to facilitate cognitive and affective processing resulting in improved brain health. Within the scientific study of mindfulness meditation, outcomes assessing behavioral and neural correlates of attentional control and emotion regulation have been examined for their malleability as a function of engagement in mindfulness practices. This review synthesizes the results of our pilot trials examining the preliminary effects of mindfulness meditation on metrics of cognitive, affective, and brain health in older adults and in individuals with multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSIONS There is promising support for mindfulness meditation to enhance attentional control, reduce mind-wandering, and reduce emotion dysregulation. However, well-powered efficacy trials, with an objective assessment of mindfulness practice data are needed to further provide causal and comprehensive evidence supporting the efficacy of mindfulness meditation for brain health. Inclusion of independently derived and validated brain-based signatures of cognitive and affective functioning can additionally enable a parsimonious understanding of how mindfulness meditation can causally impact metrics of functional and structural integrity of the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchika Shaurya Prakash
- The Ohio State University, Department of Psychology, 1835 Neil Ave Columbus, OH 43210 USA.,The Ohio State University, Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Brain Imaging, 1835 Neil Ave Columbus, OH 43210 USA
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36
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Jain FA, Chernyak S, Nickerson L, Abrams M, Iacoboni M, Christov-Moore L, Connolly CG, Fisher LB, Sakurai H, Bentley K, Tan E, Pittman M, Lavretsky H, Leuchter AF. Mentalizing imagery therapy for depressed family dementia caregivers: Feasibility, clinical outcomes and brain connectivity changes. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2021; 5. [PMID: 34498016 PMCID: PMC8423372 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Family dementia caregivers experience high rates of depression and anxiety that often go untreated due to time demands. We aimed to determine the feasibility of a brief, 4-week Mentalizing Imagery Therapy intervention, which couples mindfulness with guided imagery practices aimed at bolstering mentalizing capacity, to reduce caregiver psychological symptoms and to explore potential impact on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex connectivity. Methods Twenty-four family dementia caregivers with moderate depression symptoms (a score of 10 in Patient Health Questionnaire-9) were assigned to either group Mentalizing Imagery Therapy (MIT, n = 12) or a waitlist augmented by optional relaxation exercises (n = 12). Participants completed questionnaires to measure depression and anxiety at baseline and followup, and those eligible also underwent resting state functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) brain imaging at these time points. Results Eleven of 12 caregivers assigned to MIT completed the intervention and attended weekly groups 98% of the time. MIT home practice logs indicated average practice of 5 ± 2 sessions per week for 23 ± 8 min per session. All participants in waitlist completed the post-assessment. MIT participants exhibited significantly greater improvement than waitlist on self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms (p<.05) after 4 weeks. Neuroimaging results revealed increased dorsolateral prefrontal cortex connectivity with a putative emotion regulation network in the MIT group (p = .05) but not in waitlist (p = 1.0). Limitations Sample size limitations necessitate validation of findings in larger, randomized controlled trials. Conclusions A 4-week group MIT program was feasible for caregivers, with high levels of participation in weekly group meetings and home practice exercises.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe A Jain
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sergey Chernyak
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lisa Nickerson
- Applied Neuroimaging Statistics Laboratory, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, United States
| | - Michelle Abrams
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marco Iacoboni
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Leonardo Christov-Moore
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Colm G Connolly
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, United States
| | - Lauren B Fisher
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Hitoshi Sakurai
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Kate Bentley
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Emily Tan
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael Pittman
- Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Helen Lavretsky
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Andrew F Leuchter
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Pappous A(S, Mohammed WA, Sharma D. Physiotherapists’ experiences with a four-week mindfulness-based stress reduction program. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/21679169.2020.1745272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dinkar Sharma
- School of Psychology, University of Kent, Keynes College, Kent, UK
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38
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Sevinc G, Rusche J, Wong B, Datta T, Kaufman R, Gutz SE, Schneider M, Todorova N, Gaser C, Thomalla G, Rentz D, Dickerson BD, Lazar SW. Mindfulness Training Improves Cognition and Strengthens Intrinsic Connectivity Between the Hippocampus and Posteromedial Cortex in Healthy Older Adults. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:702796. [PMID: 34512305 PMCID: PMC8430251 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.702796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining optimal cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan is a public health priority. Evaluation of cognitive outcomes following interventions to promote and preserve brain structure and function in older adults, and associated neural mechanisms, are therefore of critical importance. In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the behavioral and neural outcomes following mindfulness training (n = 72), compared to a cognitive fitness program (n = 74) in healthy, cognitively normal, older adults (65-80 years old). To assess cognitive functioning, we used the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC), which combines measures of episodic memory, executive function, and global cognition. We hypothesized that mindfulness training would enhance cognition, increase intrinsic functional connectivity measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between the hippocampus and posteromedial cortex, as well as promote increased gray matter volume within those regions. Following the 8-week intervention, the mindfulness training group showed improved performance on the PACC, while the control group did not. Furthermore, following mindfulness training, greater improvement on the PACC was associated with a larger increase in intrinsic connectivity within the default mode network, particularly between the right hippocampus and posteromedial cortex and between the left hippocampus and lateral parietal cortex. The cognitive fitness training group did not show such effects. These findings demonstrate that mindfulness training improves cognitive performance in cognitively intact older individuals and strengthens connectivity within the default mode network, which is particularly vulnerable to aging affects. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02628548], identifier [NCT02628548].
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunes Sevinc
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Johann Rusche
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bonnie Wong
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tanya Datta
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Robert Kaufman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sarah E. Gutz
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Program in Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Marissa Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nevyana Todorova
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, College of Science, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christian Gaser
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Götz Thomalla
- Kopf- und Neurozentrum, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dorene Rentz
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bradford D. Dickerson
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sara W. Lazar
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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Rahrig H, Bjork JM, Tirado C, Chester DS, Creswell JD, Lindsay EK, Penberthy JK, Brown KW. Punishment on Pause: Preliminary Evidence That Mindfulness Training Modifies Neural Responses in a Reactive Aggression Task. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:689373. [PMID: 34366804 PMCID: PMC8342928 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.689373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive aggression, a hostile retaliatory response to perceived threat, has been attributed to failures in emotion regulation. Interventions for reactive aggression have largely focused on cognitive control training, which target top-down emotion regulation mechanisms to inhibit aggressive impulses. Recent theory suggests that mindfulness training (MT) improves emotion regulation via both top-down and bottom-up neural mechanisms and has thus been proposed as an alternative treatment for aggression. Using this framework, the current pilot study examined how MT impacts functional brain physiology in the regulation of reactive aggression. Participants were randomly assigned to 2 weeks of MT (n = 11) or structurally equivalent active coping training (CT) that emphasizes cognitive control (n = 12). Following training, participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a retaliatory aggression task, a 16-trial game in which participants could respond to provocation by choosing whether or not to retaliate in the next round. Training groups did not differ in levels of aggression displayed. However, participants assigned to MT exhibited enhanced ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) recruitment during punishment events (i.e., the aversive consequence of losing) relative to those receiving active CT. Conversely, the active coping group demonstrated greater dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) activation when deciding how much to retaliate, in line with a bolstered top-down behavior monitoring function. The findings suggest that mindfulness and cognitive control training may regulate aggression via different neural circuits and at different temporal stages of the provocation-aggression cycle. Trial Registration: identification no. NCT03485807.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadley Rahrig
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - James M. Bjork
- Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Camila Tirado
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - David S. Chester
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - J. David Creswell
- Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Emily K. Lindsay
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer Kim Penberthy
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, United States
| | - Kirk Warren Brown
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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40
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Zanesco AP, Skwara AC, King BG, Powers C, Wineberg K, Saron CD. Meditation training modulates brain electric microstates and felt states of awareness. Hum Brain Mapp 2021; 42:3228-3252. [PMID: 33783922 PMCID: PMC8193519 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Meditation practice is believed to foster states of mindful awareness and mental quiescence in everyday life. If so, then the cultivation of these qualities with training ought to leave its imprint on the activity of intrinsic functional brain networks. In an intensive longitudinal study, we investigated associations between meditation practitioners' experiences of felt mindful awareness and changes in the spontaneous electrophysiological dynamics of functional brain networks. Experienced meditators were randomly assigned to complete 3 months of full‐time training in focused‐attention meditation (during an initial intervention) or to serve as waiting‐list controls and receive training second (during a later intervention). We collected broadband electroencephalogram (EEG) during rest at the beginning, middle, and end of the two training periods. Using a data‐driven approach, we segmented the EEG into a time series of transient microstate intervals based on clustering of topographic voltage patterns. Participants also provided daily reports of felt mindful awareness and mental quiescence, and reported daily on four experiential qualities of their meditation practice during training. We found that meditation training led to increases in mindful qualities of awareness, which corroborate contemplative accounts of deepening mental calm and attentional focus. We also observed reductions in the strength and duration of EEG microstates across both interventions. Importantly, changes in the dynamic sequencing of microstates were associated with daily increases in felt attentiveness and serenity during training. Our results connect shifts in subjective qualities of meditative experience with the large‐scale dynamics of whole brain functional EEG networks at rest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alea C Skwara
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, California, USA.,Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Brandon G King
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Chivon Powers
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kezia Wineberg
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Clifford D Saron
- Center for Mind and Brain, University of California, Davis, California, USA.,The MIND Institute, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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41
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Huang FY, Hsu AL, Chao YP, Shang CMH, Tsai JS, Wu CW. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on bereavement grief: Alterations of resting-state network connectivity associate with changes of anxiety and mindfulness. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 42:510-520. [PMID: 33068043 PMCID: PMC7775995 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Bereavement, the experience of losing a loved one, is one of the most catastrophic but inevitable events in life. It causes grief and intense depression‐like sadness. Recent studies have revealed the effectiveness and proficiency of mindfulness‐based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in emotional regulation among bereavement populations. MBCT improves the well‐being of the bereaved by enhancing cognitive performances. Regarding the neural correlates of bereavement grief, previous studies focused on the alleviation of emotion–cognition interferences at specific brain regions. Here, we hypothesized that the bereavement grief fundamentally triggers global alterations in the resting‐state brain networks and part of the internetwork connectivity could be reformed after MBCT intervention. We recruited 19 bereaved individuals who participated the 8‐week MBCT program. We evaluated (a) the large‐scale changes in brain connectivity affected by the MBCT program; as well as (b) the association between connectivity changes and self‐rated questionnaire. First, after MBCT, the bereaved individuals showed the reduction of the internetwork connectivity in the salience, default‐mode and fronto‐parietal networks in the resting state but not under emotional arousal, implying the alleviated attention to spontaneous mind wandering after MBCT. Second, the alterations of functional connectivity between subcortical (e.g., caudate) and cortical networks (e.g., cingulo‐opercular/sensorimotor) were associated with the changes of the mindfulness scale, the anxiety and the emotion regulation ability. In summary, MBCT could enhance spontaneous emotion regulation among the bereaved individuals through the internetwork reorganizations in the resting state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng-Ying Huang
- Department of Education, National Taipei University of Education, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ai-Ling Hsu
- Department of Radiology, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Chao
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | | | - Jaw-Shiun Tsai
- Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Center for Complementary and Integrated Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Changwei W Wu
- Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Brain and Consciousness Research Center, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei, Taiwan
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Manjaly ZM, Iglesias S. A Computational Theory of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy from the "Bayesian Brain" Perspective. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:404. [PMID: 32499726 PMCID: PMC7243935 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) was developed to combine methods from cognitive behavioral therapy and meditative techniques, with the specific goal of preventing relapse in recurrent depression. While supported by empirical evidence from multiple clinical trials, the cognitive mechanisms behind the effectiveness of MBCT are not well understood in computational (information processing) or biological terms. This article introduces a testable theory about the computational mechanisms behind MBCT that is grounded in "Bayesian brain" concepts of perception from cognitive neuroscience, such as predictive coding. These concepts regard the brain as embodying a model of its environment (including the external world and the body) which predicts future sensory inputs and is updated by prediction errors, depending on how precise these error signals are. This article offers a concrete proposal how core concepts of MBCT-(i) the being mode (accepting whatever sensations arise, without judging or changing them), (ii) decentering (experiencing thoughts and percepts simply as events in the mind that arise and pass), and (iii) cognitive reactivity (changes in mood reactivate negative beliefs)-could be understood in terms of perceptual and metacognitive processes that draw on specific computational mechanisms of the "Bayesian brain." Importantly, the proposed theory can be tested experimentally, using a combination of behavioral paradigms, computational modelling, and neuroimaging. The novel theoretical perspective on MBCT described in this paper may offer opportunities for finessing the conceptual and practical aspects of MBCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zina-Mary Manjaly
- Department of Neurology, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Iglesias
- Translational Neuromodeling Unit (TNU), Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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McClintock CH, Worhunsky PD, Xu J, Balodis IM, Sinha R, Miller L, Potenza MN. Spiritual experiences are related to engagement of a ventral frontotemporal functional brain network: Implications for prevention and treatment of behavioral and substance addictions. J Behav Addict 2019; 8:678-691. [PMID: 31891313 PMCID: PMC7044576 DOI: 10.1556/2006.8.2019.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Spirituality is an important component of 12-step programs for behavioral and substance addictions and has been linked to recovery processes. Understanding the neural correlates of spiritual experiences may help to promote efforts to enhance recovery processes in behavioral addictions. We recently used general linear model (GLM) analyses of functional magnetic resonance imaging data to examine neural correlates of spiritual experiences, with findings implicating cortical and subcortical brain regions. Although informative, the GLM-based approach does not provide insight into brain circuits that may underlie spiritual experiences. METHODS Spatial independent component analysis (sICA) was used to identify functional brain networks specifically linked to spiritual (vs. stressful or neutral-relaxing) conditions using a previously validated guided imagery task in 27 young adults. RESULTS Using sICA, engagement of a ventral frontotemporal network was identified that was engaged at the onset and conclusion of the spiritual condition in a manner distinct from engagement during the stress or neutral-relaxing conditions. Degree of engagement correlated with subjective reports of spirituality in the scanner (r = .71, p < .001) and an out-of-the-magnet measure of spirituality (r = .48, p < .018). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION The current findings suggest a distributed functional neural network associated with spiritual experiences and provide a foundation for investigating brain mechanisms underlying the role of spirituality in recovery from behavioral addictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clayton H. McClintock
- Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick D. Worhunsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jiansong Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Iris M. Balodis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Rajita Sinha
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lisa Miller
- Spirituality Mind Body Institute, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marc N. Potenza
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Connecticut Mental Health Center, New Haven, CT, USA,Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Wethersfield, CT, USA,Corresponding author: Marc N. Potenza, MD, PhD; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, 1 Church Street, 7th floor New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Phone: +1 203 737 3553; Fax: +1 203 737 3591; E-mail:
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