Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction-related changes in posterior cingulate resting brain connectivity.
Tammi R A Kral1,2,3, Ted Imhoff-Smith1, Douglas C Dean1,3
1Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53703, USA.
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience
|July 4, 2019
Summary
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) increases brain connectivity between executive control and default mode networks. This change is linked to practice time, attention, and white matter structure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Mindfulness Research
Background:
- Mindfulness meditation training enhances functional connectivity in brain networks.
- The frontoparietal executive control network (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [DLPFC]) and default mode network (posterior cingulate cortex [PCC]) are key targets.
- Generalizability of these effects to structured programs like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if MBSR training enhances resting-state functional connectivity between PCC and DLPFC.
- To examine structural and behavioral consequences of changes in PCC-DLPFC connectivity.
- To assess the relationship between practice duration and connectivity changes.
Main Methods:
- Randomized controlled trial comparing MBSR, an active control, and a waitlist control group.
- Resting-state fMRI and diffusion tensor imaging were used to assess brain connectivity.
- Behavioral testing and self-report measures were administered at multiple time points.
Main Results:
- MBSR significantly increased PCC-DLPFC resting-state functional connectivity compared to control groups immediately post-intervention.
- These connectivity gains did not persist at long-term follow-up.
- MBSR participants showed a stronger association between practice duration and increased PCC-DLPFC connectivity.
- Increased PCC-DLPFC connectivity correlated with enhanced white matter microstructural connectivity and self-reported attention.
Conclusions:
- MBSR training effectively enhances PCC-DLPFC resting-state functional connectivity.
- The degree of connectivity increase is positively related to practice time and associated with improved attention and structural connectivity.
- These findings highlight MBSR's impact on neural networks supporting executive function and attention.
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