Meditation leads to reduced default mode network activity beyond an active task

Abstract

Meditation has been associated with relatively reduced activity in the default mode network, a brain network implicated in self-related thinking and mind wandering. However, previous imaging studies have typically compared meditation to rest despite other studies reporting differences in brain activation patterns between meditators and controls at rest. Moreover, rest is associated with a range of brain activation patterns across individuals that has only recently begun to be better characterized. Therefore, this study compared meditation to another active cognitive task, both to replicate findings that meditation is associated with relatively reduced default mode network activity, and to extend these findings by testing whether default mode activity was reduced during meditation beyond the typical reductions observed during effortful tasks. In addition, prior studies have used small groups, whereas the current study tested these hypotheses in a larger group. Results indicate that meditation is associated with reduced activations in the default mode network relative to an active task in meditators compared to controls. Regions of the default mode showing a group by task interaction include the posterior cingulate/precuneus and anterior cingulate cortex. These findings replicate and extend prior work indicating that suppression of default mode processing may represent a central neural process in long-term meditation, and suggest that meditation leads to relatively reduced default mode processing beyond that observed during another active cognitive task.

Mindfulness-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder: a review of the treatment literature and neurobiological evidence

“…103 Specifically, whereas selfreferential processing and activity within the DMN is associated with mind wandering, the antithesis of mindful awareness of the present moment, mindfulness promotes de tach ment of identification with the contents of conscious thoughts, known as "reperceiving" or "decentering." 103,104 Activation of the DMN during mindful states is decreased in experienced meditators 105,106 and following MBSR training in meditation-naive participants, 107 and greater activation of the mPFC and functional connectivity of the mPFC with the DMN during rest (e.g., during self-referential processing) has been shown among meditators compared with controls 108 (Fig. 3).…”

Mantra Meditation Suppression of Default Mode Beyond an Active Task: a Pilot Study

“…PCC activity has been associated with disruption of attention, mind wandering, and craving (Brewer et al 2013). In contrast, meditative deactivation of the PCC is associated with enhanced present-centered awareness, reduced mind wandering, Beffortless-doing,^and improvements in attention and working memory (Brewer et al 2011;Garrison et al 2013Garrison et al , 2015Pagnoni and Cekic 2007). PCC deactivation is commonly reported in association with meditative practice in FA and OM studies but less so for mantra meditation (Fox et al 2016, Tomasino et al 2012.…”

“…Studies investigating the psychological changes associated with meditation practice report such enhancements as increased ability to focus, improved self-regulation, reduced mind wandering, and fewer self-reflective ruminations-all DMN-related processes (Garrison et al 2015), (Hodgins and Adair 2010;Zeidan et al 2010;Tang et al 2007Tang et al , 2014Moore and Malinowski 2009;Mrazek et al 2013;Garrison et al 2015).…”

Meditation Experiences, Self, and Boundaries of Consciousness

“…This stimulates the production of betaendorphins which increases the levels of serotonin. Functional MRIs have identified regions of the brain that are activated during simple meditative practices (e.g., dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DPFC), parietal cortex, hippocampus, temporal lobe, anterior cingulated, striatum, and pre-/post-central gyri) including default mode network (DMN) activity that is altered during meditation [55]. This has helped identify the activation of neural structures that are involved in attention and autonomic nervous system control [49].…”

“…Meditation practice can alter a person's state of consciousness and the DMN activity may change via PFC activation [54,49,53,55]. PFC activation affects attention, emotions, feelings of fear and pain, feelings of calmness and relaxation, hormonal activity, and physiological changes in blood pressure and vascular resistance because of: 1) increased levels of free glutamate and beta-endorphins, 2) cardio-respiratory synchronization, and 3) regulation of the central nervous system and amygdala, among others.…”