Structural plasticity of the social brain: Differential change after socio-affective and cognitive mental training

Valk, Sofie L.; Bernhardt, Boris C.; Trautwein, Fynn‐Mathis; Böckler, Anne; Kanske, Philipp; Guizard, Nicolas; Collins, D. Louis; Singer, Tania

doi:10.1126/sciadv.1700489

Cited by 221 publications

(187 citation statements)

References 111 publications

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“…In line with the above, the data described in our manuscript using a CFT/CDT of p < .025 with p < .05 for family‐wise‐error (FWE) correction (two‐tailed) should have resulted in false‐positive rates no larger than 5%–10%. The applied thresholds furthermore conform to previous research on other (Andrews et al., 2017; Bernhardt et al., 2013; Ecker et al., 2013; Hong et al., 2016) as well as the same data set (Valk et al., 2017), particularly for 20 mm FWHM smoothed surface‐based 2D thickness data where higher smoothing kernels relate to more readily fulfilled assumptions of Gaussian Random Field Theory (Eklund et al., 2016; Flandin & Friston, 2016; Greve & Fischl, 2017). In addition, the effects observed at the above thresholds within the three brain areas of interest are significant for each training cohort separately as evident from post hoc analyses—except for one association at a marginal level of p = .054.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In all models, we controlled for baseline age and sex, given their established effects on brain structure (Salat et al., 2004). Details on structural change as a result of training as such are described elsewhere (Valk et al., 2017).

Behavioral modulation of brain change .

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The assessment of structural brain change such as cortical thickness has been suggested to be a promising marker for detecting the early onset of diseases (Bruce Fischl & Dale, 2000). Moreover, prior studies showed that change in brain structure could be induced through the training of specific psychological abilities, for example, mindfulness‐based attention, prosocial behavior, perspective‐taking, and multitasking performance (Valk et al., 2017; Verghese, Garner, Mattingley, & Dux, 2016). Hence, brain structure is responsive to both internal and training‐induced change.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Change in emotional self‐concept following socio‐cognitive training relates to structural plasticity of the prefrontal cortex

et al. 2018

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IntroductionSelf‐referential processing is a key component of the emotional self‐concept. Previous studies have shown that emotional self‐referential processing is related to structure and function of cortical midline areas such as medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and that it can be altered on a behavioral level by specific mental training practices. However, it remains unknown how behavioral training‐related change in emotional self‐concept content relates to structural plasticity.MethodsTo address this issue, we examined the relationship between training‐induced change in participant's emotional self‐concept measured through emotional word use in the Twenty Statement Test and change in cortical thickness in the context of a large‐scale longitudinal mental training study called the ReSource Project.ResultsBased on prior behavioral findings showing increased emotional word use particularly after socio‐cognitive training targeting perspective‐taking capacities, this study extended these results by revealing that individual differences in the degree to which participants changed their emotional self‐concept after training was positively related to cortical thickness change in right mPFC extending to dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC). Furthermore, increased self‐related negative emotional word use after training was positively associated with cortical thickness change in left pars orbitalis and bilateral dlPFC.ConclusionsOur findings reveal training‐related structural brain change in regions known to be involved in self‐referential processing and cognitive control, and could indicate a relationship between restructuring of the emotional self‐concept content as well as reappraisal of negative aspects and cortical thickness change. As such, our findings can guide the development of psychological interventions targeted to alter specific facets of the self‐concept.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behavioral modulation of brain change .

…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Change in emotional self‐concept following socio‐cognitive training relates to structural plasticity of the prefrontal cortex

et al. 2018

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“…MRI scans, after a 3-month training period, showed that parts of the brain cortex relevant to the trained skill had grown thicker (Valk et al, 2017). Merzenich et al (2014) described degree of plasticity exhibited by sensory circuits.…”

Section: The Accepted Viewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is not possible to determine which electron is in which state. The wave function for the state in which both states "a" and "b" are occupied by the electrons can be written (Valk et al, 2017) for an electron:…”

Section: Properties Of An Electronmentioning

confidence: 99%

A theory on the role of π-electrons of docosahexaenoic acid in brain function

Crawford

Thabet

Wang

et al. 2018

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-Background: Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been the dominant acyl component of the membrane phosphoglycerides in neural signaling systems since the origin of the eukaryotes. In this paper, we propose, this extreme conservation, is explained by its special electrical properties. Based on the Pauli Exclusion Principle we offer an explanation on how its six methylene interrupted double-bonds provide a special arrangement of π-electrons that offer an absolute control for the precision of the energy of the signal. Precision is not explained by standard concepts of ion movement or synaptic strengthening by enhanced protein synthesis. Yet precision is essential to visual acuity, truthful recall and the exercise of a dedicated neural pathway. Concept: Synaptic membranes have been shown to actively incorporate DHA with a high degree of selectivity. During a learning process, this biomagnification will increase the proportion of membrane DHA with two consequential neuronal and synaptic enhancements which build into a David Marr type model of the real world: DHA induced gene expression resulting in enhanced protein synthesis; increased density of π-electrons which could provide memory blocks and provide for the preferential flow of a current in neural pathways. Proposal: Both the above imply memory from synaptic strengthening. We propose memory is achieved by the activation of neuronal synaptic activation with synaptic turnover resulting in enhanced membrane DHA, which in turn induces gene expression, protein synthesis and π-electron density. Repetition amplifies the process activating synapses, which form a matrix representing the memory. The electro-chemical potentials then fire the electrons as electromagnetic waves via the six methylene interrupted double bonds. These allow transmission at a specific energy level based on their quantum mechanical properties providing the precision required for faithful recall. It is difficult to conceive of protein synthesis alone providing for precision. Using the principle of the dual properties of photons and electrons we develop the idea of complex wave patterns representing the visual or auditory fields. These are likely to be noncomputable. We suggest that harmonization of the electromagnetic waves can result in cohesion explaining recall and associations. The cohesion of electromagnetic flow leads to a surge above the resting level, which is recognized by the brain as, demonstrated in artificial, electrical stimulus during neurosurgery.Keywords: chaos theory / docosahexaenoic acid / π-electrons / signal precision / quantum mechanics / memory / cognition / perception Résumé -Une théorie sur le rôle des électrons π de l'acide docosahexaénoïque dans la fonction cérébrale. Les six doubles liaisons interrompues par un groupe méthylène et la précision de la signalisation neuronale. Introduction : Depuis l'origine des eucaryotes, l'acide docosahexaénoïque (DHA) est l'acide gras majoritaire des phosphoglycérides des membranes dans les systèmes neuronaux de signalisation. Dans ...

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Association of Short-term Change in Leukocyte Telomere Length With Cortical Thickness and Outcomes of Mental Training Among Healthy Adults

et al. 2019

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Key PointsQuestionIs naturally occurring short-term change in leukocyte telomere length related to structural plasticity of the brain, and can telomere length be influenced through mental training?FindingsIn this randomized clinical trial of 298 healthy adults, the mental training intervention did not affect leukocyte telomere length. Naturally occurring change in leukocyte telomere length over 3 consecutive 3-month intervals was significantly associated with cortical thickness change in the left precuneus extending to the posterior cingulate cortex.MeaningThis study provides the first evidence to date for an association between short-term change in leukocyte telomere length and brain structure, suggesting that these processes may be mechanistically linked; the mental training used did not influence leukocyte telomere length of healthy, middle-aged adults.

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Structural plasticity of the social brain: Differential change after socio-affective and cognitive mental training

Abstract: Training to understand the feelings and thoughts of others induces structural changes in two divergent social brain networks.

Cited by 221 publications

References 111 publications

Change in emotional self‐concept following socio‐cognitive training relates to structural plasticity of the prefrontal cortex

Change in emotional self‐concept following socio‐cognitive training relates to structural plasticity of the prefrontal cortex

A theory on the role of π-electrons of docosahexaenoic acid in brain function

Association of Short-term Change in Leukocyte Telomere Length With Cortical Thickness and Outcomes of Mental Training Among Healthy Adults

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