Brain changes in long-term zen meditators using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and diffusion tensor imaging:...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Radiology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Long-term Zen meditators exhibit distinct psychological profiles.
• Investigating the neurobiological underpinnings of meditation is crucial for understanding its effects on the brain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To correlate brain imaging metrics with meditation duration and psychological variables in Zen meditators.
• To compare neuroimaging findings between long-term meditators and healthy non-meditator controls.

Main Methods:

• Controlled, cross-sectional study involving Zen meditators and non-meditator controls.
• Utilized (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).
• Assessed psychological variables including anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, and mindfulness.

Main Results:

• Meditators showed increased myo-inositol (mI) in the posterior cingulate gyrus.
• Reduced levels of Glutamate (Glu), N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), and NAA/Creatine (NAA/Cr) were observed in the left thalamus of meditators.
• A lower Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) in the left posterior parietal white matter was found in meditators, correlating negatively with meditation years.

Conclusions:

• Myo-inositol, glutamate, and N-acetyl-aspartate are key altered metabolites in long-term meditators.
• The study provides evidence for subtle abnormalities in white matter neuronal function associated with meditation practice.
• Neuroimaging reveals objective brain changes linked to the duration of meditation practice.