Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

02-02-2018 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Brain Activity in Mindfulness Depends on Experience: a Meta-Analysis of fMRI Studies

Auteurs: Gina Falcone, Matthew Jerram

Gepubliceerd in: Mindfulness | Uitgave 5/2018

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Mindfulness and mindful meditation have become widely used approaches in clinical psychology. The growing use of these techniques has increased demand in research examining the foundations of mindfulness and its treatment efficacy. In particular, understanding the neurological mechanisms associated with mindfulness practice is an important area of research. To better understand these mechanisms, this meta-analytic study examines brain activity associated with practicing mindful meditation. Further, we examined the influence of experience on neural correlates by analyzing studies utilizing naive participants separately from studies examining experienced meditators. Literature review was used to identify studies examining mindful mediation using fMRI. Twenty-one studies were selected, with a total of 22 contrasts. Eleven contrasts used novice participants and 12 used experienced participants. Using activation likelihood estimate methods, we found that, across all contrasts, foci of consistent activity related to mindful meditation were found in the frontal regions, anterior cingulate, and insula. In contrasts utilizing novice participants, a focus was found in the insula. Foci in the medial frontal gyrus and globus pallidus were observed in the experienced participant contrasts. These findings are consistent with the literature on cognitive and motor skill learning and support the idea that mindfulness is a learnable skill.
Literatuur
go back to reference Allen, M., Dietz, M., Blair, K., van Beek, M., Rees, G., Vestergaard-Poulsen, P., & …, Roepstorff, A. (2012). Cognitive-affective neural plasticity following active-controlled mindfulness intervention. The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 32(44), 15601–15610. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.2957-12.2012. Allen, M., Dietz, M., Blair, K., van Beek, M., Rees, G., Vestergaard-Poulsen, P., & …, Roepstorff, A. (2012). Cognitive-affective neural plasticity following active-controlled mindfulness intervention. The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 32(44), 15601–15610. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1523/​jneurosci.​2957-12.​2012.
go back to reference Chein, J., & Schneider, W. (2005). Neuroimaging studies of practice-related change: fMRI and metaanalytic evidence of a domain-general control network for learning. Cognitive Brain Research, 25(3), 607–623. Chein, J., & Schneider, W. (2005). Neuroimaging studies of practice-related change: fMRI and metaanalytic evidence of a domain-general control network for learning. Cognitive Brain Research, 25(3), 607–623.
go back to reference Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A. (2004). Neuroplasticity: Changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427(6972), 311–312.CrossRefPubMed Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A. (2004). Neuroplasticity: Changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature, 427(6972), 311–312.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Engstrom, M., Pihlsgard, J., Lundberg, P., & Soderfeldt, B. (2010). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of hippocampal activation during silent mantra meditation. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(12), 1253–1258.CrossRefPubMed Engstrom, M., Pihlsgard, J., Lundberg, P., & Soderfeldt, B. (2010). Functional magnetic resonance imaging of hippocampal activation during silent mantra meditation. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 16(12), 1253–1258.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Fox, K. C., Nijeboer, S., Dixon, M. L., Floman, J. L., Ellamil, M., Rumak, S. P., & …, Christoff, K. (2014). Is meditation associated with altered brain structure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of morphometric neuroimaging in meditation practitioners. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 43, 48–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.03.016. Fox, K. C., Nijeboer, S., Dixon, M. L., Floman, J. L., Ellamil, M., Rumak, S. P., & …, Christoff, K. (2014). Is meditation associated with altered brain structure? A systematic review and meta-analysis of morphometric neuroimaging in meditation practitioners. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 43, 48–73. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​j.​neubiorev.​2014.​03.​016.
go back to reference Gard, T., Holzel, B., Sack, A., Hempel, H., Lazar, S., Vaitl, D., & …, Hoelzel, T. (2012). Pain attenuation through mindfulness is associated with decreased cognitive control and increased sensory processing in the brain. Cerebral Cortex, 22(11), 2692–2702. Gard, T., Holzel, B., Sack, A., Hempel, H., Lazar, S., Vaitl, D., & …, Hoelzel, T. (2012). Pain attenuation through mindfulness is associated with decreased cognitive control and increased sensory processing in the brain. Cerebral Cortex, 22(11), 2692–2702.
go back to reference Goldin, P., & Gross, J. (2010). Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on emotion regulation in social anxiety disorder. Emotion (Washington, D.C.), 10(1), 83–91.CrossRef Goldin, P., & Gross, J. (2010). Effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on emotion regulation in social anxiety disorder. Emotion (Washington, D.C.), 10(1), 83–91.CrossRef
go back to reference Hölzel, B. K., Ott, U., Hempel, H., Hackl, A., Wolf, K., Stark, R., & Vaitl, D. (2007). Differential engagement of anterior cingulate and adjacent medial frontal cortex in adept meditators and non-meditators. Neuroscience Letters, 421(1), 16–21.CrossRefPubMed Hölzel, B. K., Ott, U., Hempel, H., Hackl, A., Wolf, K., Stark, R., & Vaitl, D. (2007). Differential engagement of anterior cingulate and adjacent medial frontal cortex in adept meditators and non-meditators. Neuroscience Letters, 421(1), 16–21.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Kirk, U., Brown, K., & Downar, J. (2015). Adaptive neural reward processing during a nticipation and receipt of monetary rewards in mindfulness meditators. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 10(5), 752–759.CrossRefPubMed Kirk, U., Brown, K., & Downar, J. (2015). Adaptive neural reward processing during a nticipation and receipt of monetary rewards in mindfulness meditators. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 10(5), 752–759.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Kurth, F., Zilles, K., Fox, P., Laird, T., & Eickhoff, A. (2010). A link between the systems: Functional differentiation and integration within the human insula revealed by meta-analysis. Brain Structure and Function, 214(5), 519–534.CrossRefPubMed Kurth, F., Zilles, K., Fox, P., Laird, T., & Eickhoff, A. (2010). A link between the systems: Functional differentiation and integration within the human insula revealed by meta-analysis. Brain Structure and Function, 214(5), 519–534.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Laird, A. R., Lancaster, J. L., & Fox, P. T. (2005). BrainMap: The social evolution of a functional neuroimaging database. Neuroinformatics, 3(1), 65–78.CrossRefPubMed Laird, A. R., Lancaster, J. L., & Fox, P. T. (2005). BrainMap: The social evolution of a functional neuroimaging database. Neuroinformatics, 3(1), 65–78.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lancaster, J., Tordesillas-Gutierrez, D., Martinez, M., Salinas, F., Evans, A., Zilles, K., Mazziotta, J., & Fox, P. (2007). Bias Between MNI and Talairach Coordinates Analyzed Using the ICBM-152 Brain Template. Human Brain Mapping, 28(11), 1194–1205. Lancaster, J., Tordesillas-Gutierrez, D., Martinez, M., Salinas, F., Evans, A., Zilles, K., Mazziotta, J., & Fox, P. (2007). Bias Between MNI and Talairach Coordinates Analyzed Using the ICBM-152 Brain Template. Human Brain Mapping, 28(11), 1194–1205.
go back to reference Lazar, S. W., Bush, G., Gollub, R. L., Fricchione, G. L., Khalsa, G., & Benson, H. (2000). Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation. Neuroreport, 11(7), 1581–1585.CrossRefPubMed Lazar, S. W., Bush, G., Gollub, R. L., Fricchione, G. L., Khalsa, G., & Benson, H. (2000). Functional brain mapping of the relaxation response and meditation. Neuroreport, 11(7), 1581–1585.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lazar, S. W., Kerr, C. E., Wasserman, R. H., Gray, J. R., Greve, D. N., Treadway, M. T., & …, Fischl, B. (2005). Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness. Neuroreport, 16(17), 1893–1897. Lazar, S. W., Kerr, C. E., Wasserman, R. H., Gray, J. R., Greve, D. N., Treadway, M. T., & …, Fischl, B. (2005). Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness. Neuroreport, 16(17), 1893–1897.
go back to reference Lomas, T., Ivtzan, I., & Fu, C. (2015). A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 57(1), 401–410.CrossRefPubMed Lomas, T., Ivtzan, I., & Fu, C. (2015). A systematic review of the neurophysiology of mindfulness on EEG oscillations. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 57(1), 401–410.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lutz, A., Greischar, L., Perlman, D., & Davidson, R. (2009). BOLD signal in insula is differentially related to cardiac function during compassion meditation in experts vs. novices. NeuroImage, 47(3), 1038–1046.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Lutz, A., Greischar, L., Perlman, D., & Davidson, R. (2009). BOLD signal in insula is differentially related to cardiac function during compassion meditation in experts vs. novices. NeuroImage, 47(3), 1038–1046.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Lutz, A., McFarlin, D. R., Perlman, D. M., Salomons, T. V., & Davidson, R. J. (2013). Altered anterior insula activation during anticipation and experience of painful stimuli in expert meditators. NeuroImage, 64(1), 538–546.CrossRefPubMed Lutz, A., McFarlin, D. R., Perlman, D. M., Salomons, T. V., & Davidson, R. J. (2013). Altered anterior insula activation during anticipation and experience of painful stimuli in expert meditators. NeuroImage, 64(1), 538–546.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Manna, A., Raffone, A., Perrucci, M. G., Nardo, D., Ferretti, A., Tartaro, A., & …, Romani, G. L. (2010). Neural correlates of focused attention and cognitive monitoring in meditation. Brain Research Bulletin, 82(1), 46–56. Manna, A., Raffone, A., Perrucci, M. G., Nardo, D., Ferretti, A., Tartaro, A., & …, Romani, G. L. (2010). Neural correlates of focused attention and cognitive monitoring in meditation. Brain Research Bulletin, 82(1), 46–56.
go back to reference Opialla, S., Lutz, J., Scherpiet, S., Hittmeyer, A., Jäncke, L., Rufer, M., & …, Brühl, A. (2015). Neural circuits of emotion regulation: A comparison of mindfulness-based and cognitive reappraisal strategies. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 265(1), 45–55. Opialla, S., Lutz, J., Scherpiet, S., Hittmeyer, A., Jäncke, L., Rufer, M., & …, Brühl, A. (2015). Neural circuits of emotion regulation: A comparison of mindfulness-based and cognitive reappraisal strategies. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 265(1), 45–55.
go back to reference Oppenheimer, S., Gelb, A., Girvin, J., & Hachinski, V. (1992). Cardiovascular effects of human insular cortex stimulation. Neurology, 42(9), 1727–1732.CrossRefPubMed Oppenheimer, S., Gelb, A., Girvin, J., & Hachinski, V. (1992). Cardiovascular effects of human insular cortex stimulation. Neurology, 42(9), 1727–1732.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Posner, M., & Petersen, S. (1990). The attention system of the human brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 13, 25–42.CrossRefPubMed Posner, M., & Petersen, S. (1990). The attention system of the human brain. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 13, 25–42.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Posner, M., & Rothbart, M. (2007). Research on attention networks as a model for the integration of psychological science. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 1–23.CrossRefPubMed Posner, M., & Rothbart, M. (2007). Research on attention networks as a model for the integration of psychological science. Annual Review of Psychology, 58, 1–23.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Raz, A., & Buhle, J. (2006). Typologies of attentional networks. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 7(5), 367–379.PubMed Raz, A., & Buhle, J. (2006). Typologies of attentional networks. Nature Reviews. Neuroscience, 7(5), 367–379.PubMed
go back to reference Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Astin, J., & Freedman, B. (2006). Mechanisms of mindfulness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 373–386.CrossRefPubMed Shapiro, S., Carlson, L., Astin, J., & Freedman, B. (2006). Mechanisms of mindfulness. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 62(3), 373–386.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Simkin, D. R., & Black, N. B. (2014). Meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America., 23(3), 487–534.CrossRefPubMed Simkin, D. R., & Black, N. B. (2014). Meditation and mindfulness in clinical practice. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America., 23(3), 487–534.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Tang, Y. Y., & Posner, M. (2009) Attention training and attention state training. Trends in Cognitive Neuroscience, 13(5), 222–227. Tang, Y. Y., & Posner, M. (2009) Attention training and attention state training. Trends in Cognitive Neuroscience, 13(5), 222–227.
go back to reference Tang, Y., & Posner, M. (2014). Training brain networks and states. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 18(7), 345–350.CrossRefPubMed Tang, Y., & Posner, M. (2014). Training brain networks and states. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 18(7), 345–350.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Tang, Y., Lu, Q., Geng, X., Stein, E., Yang, Y., & Posner, M. (2010). Short-term meditation induces white matter changes in the anterior cingulate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107(35), 15649–15652.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Tang, Y., Lu, Q., Geng, X., Stein, E., Yang, Y., & Posner, M. (2010). Short-term meditation induces white matter changes in the anterior cingulate. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 107(35), 15649–15652.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Tang, Y., Rothbart, M., & Posner, M. (2012b). Neural correlates of establishing, maintaining, and switching brain states. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(6), 330–337.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Tang, Y., Rothbart, M., & Posner, M. (2012b). Neural correlates of establishing, maintaining, and switching brain states. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 16(6), 330–337.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Tang, Y., Tang, R., & Posner, M. (2013). Brief meditation training induces smoking reduction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110(34), 13971–13975.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Tang, Y., Tang, R., & Posner, M. (2013). Brief meditation training induces smoking reduction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 110(34), 13971–13975.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Taubert, M., Villringer, A., & Ragert, P. (2012). Learning-related grey and white matter changes in humans: An update. The Neuroscientist, 18(4), 320–325.CrossRefPubMed Taubert, M., Villringer, A., & Ragert, P. (2012). Learning-related grey and white matter changes in humans: An update. The Neuroscientist, 18(4), 320–325.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Turkeltaub, P. E., Eden, G. F., Jones, K. M., & Zeffiro, T. A. (2002). Meta-analysis of the functional neuroanatomy of single-word reading: Method and validation. NeuroImage, 16(3), 765–780.CrossRefPubMed Turkeltaub, P. E., Eden, G. F., Jones, K. M., & Zeffiro, T. A. (2002). Meta-analysis of the functional neuroanatomy of single-word reading: Method and validation. NeuroImage, 16(3), 765–780.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Vytal, K., & Hamann, S. (2012). Neuroimaging support for discrete neural correlates of basic emotions: A voxel-based meta-analysis. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 22(12), 2864–2885.CrossRef Vytal, K., & Hamann, S. (2012). Neuroimaging support for discrete neural correlates of basic emotions: A voxel-based meta-analysis. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 22(12), 2864–2885.CrossRef
go back to reference Wang, D., Rao, H., Korczykowski, M., Wintering, N., Pluta, J., Khalsa, D., & Newberg, A. (2011). Cerebral blood flow changes associated with different meditation practices and perceived depth of meditation. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 60–67.CrossRefPubMed Wang, D., Rao, H., Korczykowski, M., Wintering, N., Pluta, J., Khalsa, D., & Newberg, A. (2011). Cerebral blood flow changes associated with different meditation practices and perceived depth of meditation. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 60–67.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Xu, J., Vik, A., Groote, I. R., Lagopoulos, J., Holen, A., Ellingsen, Ø., & …, Davanger, S. (2014). Nondirective meditation activates default mode network and areas associated with memory retrieval and emotional processing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 86. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00086. Xu, J., Vik, A., Groote, I. R., Lagopoulos, J., Holen, A., Ellingsen, Ø., & …, Davanger, S. (2014). Nondirective meditation activates default mode network and areas associated with memory retrieval and emotional processing. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 8, 86. https://​doi.​org/​10.​3389/​fnhum.​2014.​00086.
go back to reference Zeidan, F., Martucci, K., Kraft, R., McHaffie, J., & Coghill, R. (2014). Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 9(6), 751–759.CrossRefPubMed Zeidan, F., Martucci, K., Kraft, R., McHaffie, J., & Coghill, R. (2014). Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 9(6), 751–759.CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Zeidan, F., Emerson, N., Farris, S., Ray, J., Jung, Y., Mchaffie, J., & Coghill, R. (2015). Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief employs different neural mechanisms than placebo and sham mindfulness meditation-induced analgesia. The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 35(46), 15307–15325.CrossRef Zeidan, F., Emerson, N., Farris, S., Ray, J., Jung, Y., Mchaffie, J., & Coghill, R. (2015). Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief employs different neural mechanisms than placebo and sham mindfulness meditation-induced analgesia. The Journal of Neuroscience: The Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 35(46), 15307–15325.CrossRef
Metagegevens
Titel
Brain Activity in Mindfulness Depends on Experience: a Meta-Analysis of fMRI Studies
Auteurs
Gina Falcone
Matthew Jerram
Publicatiedatum
02-02-2018
Uitgeverij
Springer US
Gepubliceerd in
Mindfulness / Uitgave 5/2018
Print ISSN: 1868-8527
Elektronisch ISSN: 1868-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-018-0884-5