Work

Effects of Long-Term Mindfulness Meditation on Brain's White Matter Microstructure and its Aging

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: Although research on the effects of mindfulness meditation (MM) is increasing, still very little has been done to address its influence on the white matter (WM) of the brain. We hypothesized that the practice of MM might affect the WM microstructure adjacent to five brain regions of interest associated with mindfulness. Diffusion tensor imaging was employed on samples of meditators and non-meditators (n = 64) in order to investigate the effects of MM on group difference and aging. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to estimate the fractional anisotrophy of the WM connected to the thalamus, insula, amygdala, hippocampus, and anterior cingulate cortex. The subsequent generalized linear model analysis revealed group differences and a group-by-age interaction in all five selected regions. These data provide preliminary indications that the practice of MM might result in WM connectivity change and might provide evidence on its ability to help diminish age-related WM degeneration in key regions which participate in processes of mindfulness.

Source: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00254

Authors: Davide Laneri, Verena Schuster, Bruno Dietsche, Andreas Jansen, Ulrich Ott, Jens Sommer

Institutions: Philipps University of Marburg, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Language: English

Topic: Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,221