Researchers report that those who meditated for about 30 minutes a day for eight weeks had measurable changes in gray-matter density in parts of the brain associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress.
“Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density”
Abstract
Therapeutic interventions that incorporate training in mindfulness meditation have become increasingly popular, but to date little is known about neural mechanisms associated with these interventions. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), one of the most widely used mindfulness training programs, has been reported to produce positive effects on psychological well-being and to ameliorate symptoms of a number of disorders. Here, we report a controlled longitudinal study to investigate pre?post changes in brain gray matter concentration attributable to participation in an?MBSR?program. Anatomical magnetic resonance (MR) images from 16 healthy,?meditation-na?ve?participants were obtained before and after they underwent the 8-week program. Changes in gray matter concentration were investigated using?voxel-based?morphometry, and compared with a waiting list control group of 17 individuals. Analyses in?a priori?regions of interest confirmed increases in gray matter concentration within the left hippocampus. Whole brain analyses identified increases in the posterior cingulate cortex, the?temporo-parietal?junction, and the cerebellum in the?MBSR?group compared with the controls. The results suggest that participation in?MBSR?is associated with changes in gray matter concentration in brain regions involved in learning and memory processes, emotion regulation,?self-referential?processing, and perspective taking.
Source:
Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging – 30 January 2011 (Vol. 191, Issue 1, Pages 36-43, DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.08.006)
URL:?http://www.psyn-journal.com/article/S0925-4927(10)00288-X/references
Arthors:?Britta K. H?lzel, James Carmody, Mark Vangel, Christina Congleton, Sita M. Yerramsetti, Tim Gard, Sara W. Lazar
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