The Effects of Meditation on Grey Matter Atrophy and Neurodegeneration: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The present systematic review is based on the premise that a variety of neurodegenerative diseases are accompanied by grey matter atrophy in the brain and meditation may impact this. Given that age is a major risk factor for many of these progressive and neurodegenerative diseases and that the percentage of the population over the age of 65 is quickly increasing, there is an obvious need for prompt treatment and prevention advances in research. As there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, many are seeking non-pharmacological treatment options in attempts to offset the disease-related cognitive and functional declines. On the basis of a growing body of research suggesting that meditation is effective in increasing grey matter volume in healthy participants, this paper systematically reviewed the literature regarding the effects of meditation on restoring grey matter volume in healthy individuals and those affected by neurodegeneration. This review searched PubMed, CINAHL, and APA PsycNET to identify original studies that included MRI imaging to measure grey matter volume in meditators and post-mindfulness-based intervention participants compared to controls. Thirteen studies were considered eligible for review and involved a wide variety of meditation techniques and included participants with and without cognitive impairment. All studies reported significant increases in grey matter volume in the meditators/intervention group, albeit in assorted regions of the brain. Limited research exists on the mechanisms through which meditation affects disease-related neurodegeneration, but preliminary evidence suggests that it may offset grey matter atrophy.

History and progress of hypotheses and clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease

“…[337][338][339] Brain atrophy affects the function of neurons, which in turn impairs signal transmission and causes movement disorders, cognitive disorders etc. [340][341][342][343] Brain atrophy has been shown to be a key pathological change in AD. [344][345][346][347] In particular, the annual atrophy rate of the hippocampus in AD patients (−3.98 ± 1.92%) is two to four times that of the atrophy rate in healthy individuals (−1.55 ± 1.38%).…”

Can Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment Build Cognitive Reserve and Learn Mindfulness Meditation? Qualitative Theme Analyses from a Small Pilot Study

“…[85] In addition, since our original publications reporting our results of MBSR in adults with MCI [21,22], there has been significant interest in understanding the role mind-body programs play in adults with mild cognitive impairment, dementia, subjective cognitive decline, and in aging in general. [61,[86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95] A manual of a mindfulness program for adults with dementia has even been published. [96]…”

Future directions in meditation research: Recommendations for expanding the field of contemplative science

“…This burgeoning body of research has shed significant light on the effects of meditation practices on basic mechanisms of attention, perception, emotion and cognition [ 24 – 26 ]. A robust new field of contemplative neuroscience has emerged from studies of changes in brain function and structure associated with long-term meditation practice [ 3 , 24 ] and short-term mindfulness interventions [ 27 – 30 ]. A growing body of literature has been exploring the biological and physiological mechanisms of meditation, including modulation of inflammation, cell-mediated immunity, self-related processing, inhibitory control and protective factors in biological markers of aging [ 31 – 33 ].…”