Focused attention meditation in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional functional MRI studies

Ganesan, Saampras; Beyer, Emillie; Moffat, Bradford A.; Dam, Nicholas T. Van; Lorenzetti, Valentina; Zalesky, Andrew

doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104846

Cited by 45 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 90 publications

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“…Further, anterior mPFC is posited to underlie selfreferential, value and reward processing and planning (Andrews-Hanna et al, 2010;Lieberman et al, 2019). Consequently, deactivations in these regions may free up attentional resources in order to improve quality of deliberate focus on present moment objects or experiences (Ganesan et al, 2022a;Laukkonen & Slagter, 2021).…”

Section: Default-mode Network Areas Are Attenuated During Focused Att...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This body of work has provided unique insights into the brain areas and brain networks that are frequently implicated by meditation. For example, most qualitative (Brandmeyer & Delorme, 2021;Feruglio et al, 2021;Laukkonen & Slagter, 2021) and quantitative (Fox et al, 2016;Ganesan et al, 2022a) neuroimaging reviews thus far have consistently highlighted that focused attention meditation is associated with reduced activity in the brain network ascribed to self-referential processing and mind-wandering, i.e., Default-mode network. Mitigation of distraction caused by spontaneous thought and mind-wandering is a core mechanism that facilitates sustained attention on the object of focus (e.g., breathing sensations) during focused attention meditation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The past decade has seen a noticeable expansion in research investigating the functional brain mechanisms underlying meditation (Ganesan et al, 2022a; Melis et al, 2022; Sezer et al, 2022; Young et al, 2018). Among various techniques, the fundamental practice of focused attention meditation is widely investigated in the scientific literature (Bishop et al, 2004; Ganesan et al, 2022a; Lutz et al, 2008). This technique entails focusing and sustaining attention on an object or experience (e.g., breathing sensations) in the present moment while actively noticing and disengaging from distractions (e.g., mind-wandering).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the advent of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) technology, many studies have endeavoured to map the precise neural markers of meditation. Focused attention meditation (with breath or body sensations) is particularly amenable to fMRI investigations due to its simplicity, accessibility to beginner meditators, and significance across various traditions (Ganesan et al, 2022a; Matko et al, 2021). Conventionally, studies have used MRI scanners with magnetic strengths of up to 3 Tesla to examine the fMRI blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) processes underlying meditative states.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Meditation attenuates Default-mode activity: a pilot study using ultra-high strength MRI

Ganesan¹,

Moffat

Dam³

et al. 2023

Preprint

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ObjectivesMapping the neurobiology of meditation using 3 Tesla functional MRI (fMRI) has burgeoned recently. However, limitations in signal quality and neuroanatomical resolution have impacted reliability and precision of extant findings. Although ultra-high strength 7 Tesla MRI overcomes these limitations, investigation of meditation using 7 Tesla fMRI is still in its infancy.MethodsIn this feasibility study, we scanned 10 individuals who were beginner meditators using 7 Tesla fMRI while they performed focused attention meditation and non-focused rest. We also measured and adjusted the fMRI signal for key physiological differences between meditation and rest. Finally, we explored the 2-week impact of the single fMRI meditation session on mindfulness, anxiety and focused attention attributes.ResultsGroup-level task fMRI analyses revealed significant reductions in activity during meditation relative to rest in Default-mode network hubs, i.e., antero-medial prefrontal and posterior cingulate cortices, precuneus, as well as visual and thalamic regions. These findings survived stringent statistical corrections for fluctuations in physiological responses which demonstrated significant differences (p < 0.05/n, Bonferroni controlled) between meditation and rest. Compared to baseline, State Mindfulness Scale (SMS) scores were significantly elevated (F = 8.16, p<0.05/n, Bonferroni controlled) following the fMRI meditation session, and were closely maintained at 2-week follow up.ConclusionsThis pilot study establishes the feasibility and utility of investigating focused attention meditation using ultra-high strength (7 Tesla) fMRI, by supporting widespread evidence that focused attention meditation attenuates Default-mode activity responsible for self-referential processing. Future functional neuroimaging studies of meditation should control for physiological confounds and include behavioural assessments.

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Section: Default-mode Network Areas Are Attenuated During Focused Att...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Meditation attenuates Default-mode activity: a pilot study using ultra-high strength MRI

Ganesan¹,

Moffat

Dam³

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

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Within‐subject reliability of brain networks during advanced meditation: An intensively sampled 7 Tesla MRI case study

Ganesan,

Yang,

Chowdhury

et al. 2024

Human Brain Mapping

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Advanced meditation such as jhana meditation can produce various altered states of consciousness (jhanas) and cultivate rewarding psychological qualities including joy, peace, compassion, and attentional stability. Mapping the neurobiological substrates of jhana meditation can inform the development and application of advanced meditation to enhance well‐being. Only two prior studies have attempted to investigate the neural correlates of jhana meditation, and the rarity of adept practitioners has largely restricted the size and extent of these studies. Therefore, examining the consistency and reliability of observed brain responses associated with jhana meditation can be valuable. In this study, we aimed to characterize functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reliability within a single subject over repeated runs in canonical brain networks during jhana meditation performed by an adept practitioner over 5 days (27 fMRI runs) inside an ultra‐high field 7 Tesla MRI scanner. We found that thalamus and several cortical networks, that is, the somatomotor, limbic, default‐mode, control, and temporo‐parietal, demonstrated good within‐subject reliability across all jhanas. Additionally, we found that several other relevant brain networks (e.g., attention, salience) showed noticeable increases in reliability when fMRI measurements were adjusted for variability in self‐reported phenomenology related to jhana meditation. Overall, we present a preliminary template of reliable brain areas likely underpinning core neurocognitive elements of jhana meditation, and highlight the utility of neurophenomenological experimental designs for better characterizing neuronal variability associated with advanced meditative states.

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Fears Worth Testing Out: A Systematic Review of the Neural Mechanisms of Treatment Outcome for Anxiety-Related Disorders

Aupperle,

Berg,

Armstrong

2024

Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences

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Focused attention meditation in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional functional MRI studies

Cited by 45 publications

References 90 publications

Meditation attenuates Default-mode activity: a pilot study using ultra-high strength MRI

Meditation attenuates Default-mode activity: a pilot study using ultra-high strength MRI

Within‐subject reliability of brain networks during advanced meditation: An intensively sampled 7 Tesla MRI case study

Fears Worth Testing Out: A Systematic Review of the Neural Mechanisms of Treatment Outcome for Anxiety-Related Disorders

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