Mechanisms of white matter changes induced by meditation
Open accessAbstract
Using diffusion tensor imaging, several recent studies have shown that training results in changes in white matter efficiency as measured by fractional anisotropy (FA). In our work, we found that a form of mindfulness meditation, integrative body-mind training (IBMT), improved FA in areas surrounding the anterior cingulate cortex after 4-wk training more than controls given relaxation training. Reductions in radial diffusivity (RD) have been interpreted as improved myelin but reductions in axial diffusivity (AD) involve other mechanisms, such as axonal density. We now report that after 4-wk training with IBMT, both RD and AD decrease accompanied by increased FA, indicating improved efficiency of white matter involves increased myelin as well as other axonal changes. However, 2-wk IBMT reduced AD, but not RD or FA, and improved moods. Our results demonstrate the time-course of white matter neuroplasticity in short-term meditation. This dynamic pattern of white matter change involving the anterior cingulate cortex, a part of the brain network related to self-regulation, could provide a means for intervention to improve or prevent mental disorders.
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A longitudinal study in healthy students showed decreased RAD and AXD accompanied by increased FA after a 4-week integrative body-mind training compared to a relaxation training.
“A longitudinal study in healthy students showed decreased RAD and AXD accompanied by increased FA after a 4-week integrative body-mind training compared to a relaxation training (Tang et al., 2012).”
From Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and white matter plasticity in individuals with subclinical depression and psychotic experiences: A Randomised Controlled Trial (2023) · cites this paper as Tang et al., 2012
Enhanced activation of the ACC and other prefrontal regions was observed in novice and experienced meditators and as a result of ayahuasca administration.
“For example, enhanced activation of the ACC and other prefrontal regions was observed in novice and experienced meditators (120–122), and as a result of ayahuasca administration (33, 63).”
From Examining the Potential Synergistic Effects Between Mindfulness Training and Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (2021) · cites this paper as [122]
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Acupuncture modulates cortical thickness and functional connectivity in knee osteoarthritis patients
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The Influence of Buddhist Meditation Traditions on the Autonomic System and Attention
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Brain activity in mindfulness depends on experience: a meta-analysis of fMRI studies
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Harnessing neuroplasticity: modern approaches and clinical future
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Effects of Long-Term Mindfulness Meditation on Brain's White Matter Microstructure and its Aging
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Trait Mindfulness and Functional Connectivity in Cognitive and Attentional Resting State Networks
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The Plasticity of Brain Gray Matter and White Matter following Lower Limb Amputation
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Mindfulness training induces structural connectome changes in insula networks
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Changes in white matter in mice resulting from low-frequency brain stimulation
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Effortless training of attention and self-control: mechanisms and applications
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Self-citationBrief Mindfulness Meditation Induces Gray Matter Changes in a Brain Hub.
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Self-citationMechanisms of white matter change induced by meditation training
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The Mechanisms of Mindfulness in the Treatment of Mental Illness and Addiction
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Shifting brain asymmetry: the link between meditation and structural lateralization
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Happiness in Behaviour Genetics: An Update on Heritability and Changeability
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Altered paralimbic interaction in behavioral addiction
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Molecular Mechanisms of Meditation
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- Authors
- Tang, Y.-Y., Lu, Q., Fan, M., Yang, Y., & Posner, M. I.
- Affiliations
- Texas Tech University (US)
- Dalian University of Technology (CN)
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CN)
- National Institutes of Health (US)
- University of Oregon (US)
- Venue
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
- Publisher
- National Academy of Sciences
- Published
- 2012-06-11
- Volume
- 109
- Issue
- 26
- Pages
- 10570-10574
- ISSN
- 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
- 1091-6490
- PMC
- PMC3387117
- OpenAlex
- W1988224232
- Cited by
- 335
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 26 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 22 · 2015: 33 · 2014: 36 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 38.02
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (R21DA030066)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Advanced Neuroimaging Techniques and Applications
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
- Keywords
- mindfulness meditation, white matter plasticity, fractional anisotropy, radial diffusivity, axial diffusivity, anterior cingulate cortex, myelination, axon density, mood, self-regulation, neuroplasticity
- MeSH terms
- Brain, Humans, Myelin Sheath, Meditation, Self Efficacy
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