Neural mechanisms of mindfulness and meditation: Evidence from neuroimaging studies

Abstract

Mindfulness is the dispassionate, moment-by-moment awareness of sensations, emotions and thoughts. Mindfulness-based interventions are being increasingly used for stress, psychological well being, coping with chronic illness as well as adjunctive treatments for psychiatric disorders. However, the neural mechanisms associated with mindfulness have not been well characterized. Recent functional and structural neuroimaging studies are beginning to provide insights into neural processes associated with the practice of mindfulness. A review of this literature revealed compelling evidence that mindfulness impacts the function of the medial cortex and associated default mode network as well as insula and amygdala. Additionally, mindfulness practice appears to effect lateral frontal regions and basal ganglia, at least in some cases. Structural imaging studies are consistent with these findings and also indicate changes in the hippocampus. While many questions remain unanswered, the current literature provides evidence of brain regions and networks relevant for understanding neural processes associated with mindfulness.

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

“…It is hypothesized that mindful emotion regulation is mediated by enhanced prefrontal cognitive control and concomitant downregulation of activity in limbic structures, including the amygdala. 72,78 It is possible that increased modulation of limbic structures via mindfulness-based approaches 36 could lead to further emotional overmodulation in individuals with PTSD+DS; however, it is also possible that mindfulness-based approaches may be associated with enhanced ability to accurately modulate limbic reactivity (e.g., via reducing or increasing top-down inhibition limbic regions, depending on the circumstances), as has been suggested by Tang and colleagues. 72 Thus, future work will be necessary to elucidate the relative effectiveness of mindfulness in improving both emotional under-and overmodulation in individuals with PTSD and with PTSD+DS.…”

“…This is particularly pertinent, given that heightened resting state functional connectivity of the SN may indicate inappropriate use of the network in the absence of salient internal or external stimuli among individuals with PTSD. Conversely, several sources have indicated increased activity of the AI (a main node of the SN) during mindful states, 78,109,110 which may be construed as counterproductive given heightened resting-state activation of SN regions in patients with PTSD. Notably, in these studies it is not clear what aspect of mindfulness is used while the AI is active (e.g., attention to external stimuli v. awareness of mind wandering).…”

“…7,60,61,63 Specifically, evidence suggests that mindfulness-based therapies may be effective in increasing activity in prefrontal regions (e.g., mPFC) and reducing activity in limbic regions (e.g., amygdala), and thus may effectively target intrusion and hyperarousal symptoms. 72,78 Moreover, increased connectivity between the vlPFC and amygdala has been associated with reduced anxiety symptoms following MBSR treatment 71 and may indicate improvements in arousal monitoring that lead to reductions in both hyperarousal and intrusion symptoms as well as dissociative responses to traumatic stimuli. 72 Furthermore, evidence indicates that mindfulness fosters appropriate use and integrity of the DMN, SN and CEN, given that different phases of mindfulness practice are associated with distinct use of different networks.…”

Psychological risk factors, cognitive-contextual approaches and neural correlates in eating disorders: an integrative review

“…However, a review of several studies about mindfulness meditation in healthy participants showed that mindfulness impacts information processing in the medial cortex and associated DMN, insula and amygdala [94]. Also, structural imaging studies corroborate these findings, adding changes in the hippocampus as a result of mindfulness practice [94].…”

“…However, a review of several studies about mindfulness meditation in healthy participants showed that mindfulness impacts information processing in the medial cortex and associated DMN, insula and amygdala [94]. Also, structural imaging studies corroborate these findings, adding changes in the hippocampus as a result of mindfulness practice [94]. Boccia, Piccardi, and Guariglia [95] highlight that meditation activates brain areas involved in processing self-relevant information, self-regulation, focused problem-solving, adaptive behaviour and interoception.…”