Mindfulness is associated with intrinsic functional connectivity between default mode and salience networks

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cognitive Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Mindfulness involves present-moment awareness without judgment.
• Mindfulness practice engages brain networks including the default mode network (DMN), salience network (SN), and central executive network (CEN).
• The relationship between intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) of these networks and mindfulness is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between intrinsic functional connectivity (iFC) across the DMN, SN, and CEN and mindfulness scores.
• To explore how attention to breath training impacts inter-network connectivity.

Main Methods:

• Healthy participants underwent 2 weeks of daily 20-minute attention to breath training.
• Resting-state functional MRI and mindfulness questionnaires were used for assessment.
• Independent component analysis (ICA) identified brain networks and calculated inter-network intrinsic functional connectivity (inter-iFC) via temporal correlation.

Main Results:

• A significant correlation was found between inter-iFC of DMN and SN subnetworks and mindfulness scores.
• A trend for correlation was observed between inter-iFC of SN and left CEN subnetworks and mindfulness scores.
• Control analyses on visual networks confirmed the specificity of the findings.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness practice is associated with altered intrinsic functional connectivity between the DMN and SN.
• Ongoing interactions among central intrinsic brain networks are linked to the capacity for non-judgmental present-moment awareness.
• Findings suggest a neural basis for how mindfulness training enhances attentional control and self-awareness.