Nadia Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I think references to this study have been made in a different part of the site, but I thought I'd post it here as well. The underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation: Larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of gray matter Eileen Luders, Arthur W. Toga, Natasha Lepore, Christian Gaser Full article can be downloaded here: http://dbm.neuro.uni-jena.de/pdf-files/Luders-NI09.pdf Abstract: Although the systematic study of meditation is still in its infancy, research has provided evidence for meditation-induced improvements in psychological and physiological well-being. Moreover, meditation practice has been shown not only to benefit higher-order cognitive functions but also to alter brain activity. Nevertheless, little is known about possible links to brain structure. Using high-resolution MRI data of 44 subjects, we set out to examine the underlying anatomical correlates of long-term meditation with different regional specificity (i.e., global, regional, and local). For this purpose, we applied voxel-based morphometry in association with a recently validated automated parcellation approach. We detected significantly larger gray matter volumes in meditators in the right orbito-frontal cortex (as well as in the right thalamus and left inferior temporal gyrus when co-varying for age and/or lowering applied statistical thresholds). In addition, meditators showed significantly larger volumes of the right hippocampus. Both orbito-frontal and hippocampal regions have been implicated in emotional regulation and response control. Thus, larger volumes in these regions might account for meditators' singular abilities and habits to cultivate positive emotions, retain emotional stability, and engage in mindful behavior. We further suggest that these regional alterations in brain structures constitute part of the underlying neurological correlate of long-term meditation independent of a specific style and practice. Future longitudinal analyses are necessary to establish the presence and direction of a causal link between meditation practice and brain anatomy. '94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever. 1/13 Best I've ever felt. 3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows. 4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nadia Posted July 19, 2011 Author Share Posted July 19, 2011 Interesting part of the article regarding the hippocampus, which has a lot to do with stress response: Davidson et al. (2000) propose an active role of the hippocampus in emotional responding. They hypothesize that individuals who habitually fail to regulate their affective responses in a context-sensitive fashion may have a functional impairment of the hippocampus. Thus, it is likely that the observed larger hippocampal volumes may account for meditators' singular abilities and habits to cultivate positive emotions, retain emotional stability, and engage in mindful behavior. Aside from its involvement in emotional processes, the hippocampus has also been shown as relevant for attentional processes and “certain types of imagery”, as summarized by Newberg and Iversen (2003). Thus, the observed increased hippocampal volumes in meditators might be partly driven by subjects of the current sample who pay attention to external and internal stimuli/ events and who engage visualization. Finally, the hippocampus has also been suggested to modulate cortical arousal and responsiveness via rich and extensive interconnections with the prefrontal cortex and in close interaction with the thalamus (Newberg and Iversen, 2003). Our observation of larger right hippocampal volumes together with increased voxel-wise GM in the right orbito-frontal cortex and in the right thalamus is in striking agreement with this postulate. '94-'08 On/off ADs. Mostly Zoloft & Wellbutrin, but also Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.6/08 quit Z & W after tapering, awful anxiety 3 mos. later, reinstated.11/10 CTed. Severe anxiety 3 mos. later & @ 8 mos. much worse (set off by metronidazole). Anxiety, depression, anhedonia, DP, DR, dizziness, severe insomnia, high serum AM cortisol, flu-like feelings, muscle discomfort.9/11-9/12 Waves and windows of recovery.10/12 Awful relapse, DP/DR. Hydrocortisone?11/12 Improved fairly quickly even though relapse was one of worst waves ever. 1/13 Best I've ever felt. 3/13 A bit of a relapse... then faster and shorter waves and windows. 4/14 Have to watch out for triggers, but feel completely normal about 80% of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted July 19, 2011 Administrator Share Posted July 19, 2011 Great find, Nadia. Thanks for posting this. ....Davidson et al. (2000) propose an active role of the hippocampus in emotional responding. They hypothesize that individuals who habitually fail to regulate their affective responses in a context-sensitive fashion may have a functional impairment of the hippocampus.... I love these culture-centric "hypotheses" in scientific papers. This one is made in the context of biopsychiatry -- there's got to be a connection to mood disorders in here somewhere! Perhaps meditators have larger hippocampi because calmness itself nurtures neurogenesis. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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