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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 (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
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“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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InfluentialChanges in white matter in mice resulting from low-frequency brain stimulation
Piscopo, D. M., Weible, A. P., Rothbart, M. K., Posner, M. I., & Niell, C. M. (2018) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1802160115 · Cited by 60
“Our previous work showed that 2– 4 wk of meditation training produced significant increases in FA in pathways surrounding the ACC in comparison with relaxation training controls (4, 5).”
BackgroundSelf-citationJanz, P., Dawe, S., & Wyllie, M. (2019) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02052 · Cited by 74
Effortless training of attention and self-control: mechanisms and applications
Tang, Y.-Y., Tang, R., Posner, M. I., & Gross, J. J. (2022) · Trends in Cognitive Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.tics.2022.04.006 · Cited by 60
“We found that 2 – 4 weeks of IBMT (10 – 20 half-hour sessions) led to higher fractional anisotropy in white matter pathways surrounding the ACC [58,59].”
BackgroundSelf-citationBrief Mindfulness Meditation Induces Gray Matter Changes in a Brain Hub.
Tang, R., Friston, K. J., & Tang, Y.-Y. (2020) · Neural Plasticity · doi:10.1155/2020/8830005 · Cited by 54
“Our previous randomized studies have shown that the mood/affect states correlate with white matter plasticity following short-term IBMT [18], but a relationship between mood/affect trait of temperament and gray matter plasticity has not been established.”
BackgroundSelf-citationMechanisms of white matter change induced by meditation training
Posner, M. I., Tang, Y., & LYNCH, G. S. (2014) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01220 · Cited by 56
Self-citationMind over matter – what do we know about neuroplasticity in adults?
Valkanova, V., Rodriguez, R. E., & Ebmeier, K. P. (2014) · International Psychogeriatrics · doi:10.1017/s1041610213002482 · Cited by 60
“…Cognitive EM: loci method 8 hours (classroom) over 8 weeks Increase in FA; increase in MD; decrease in RD ↑FA L anterior thalamic radiation; ↑frontal MD Tang et al. (2012) DTI 68 21 Active Cognitive Meditation: integrative body–mind training 5 hours (30 min per session) over 2 weeks No change…”
BackgroundMethodThe Mechanisms of Mindfulness in the Treatment of Mental Illness and Addiction
Shonin, E., & Gordon, W. V. (2016) · International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction · doi:10.1007/s11469-016-9653-7 · Cited by 68
“, 2011b), (ii) improved self-regulatory efficacy (i.e., an individual’s ability to regulate and remain in control of their choices, feelings, and behaviours; Luders et al., 2009; Tang et al., 2012), and (iii) greater interoceptive awareness (i.”
Shifting brain asymmetry: the link between meditation and structural lateralization
Kurth, F., MacKenzie‐Graham, A. J., Toga, A. W., & Eileen Luders, A. (2014) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsu029 · Cited by 52
Gaudio, S., Quattrocchi, C. C., Piervincenzi, C., Zobel, B. B., Montecchi, F. R., Dakanalis, A., Riva, G., & Carducci, F. (2017) · Psychiatry Research Neuroimaging · doi:10.1016/j.pscychresns.2017.06.011 · Cited by 52
Fincham, G. W., Kartar, A. A., Uthaug, M. V., Anderson, B., Hall, L., Nagai, Y., Critchley, H., & Colasanti, A. (2023) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105453 · Cited by 52
“This ‘paradigm shift ’ includes the medical ‘renaissance ’ of psychedelics (George et al., 2022; Hadar et al., 2022), and the rigorous enquiry into the neurobiological underpinnings of integrative mind-body practices – notably mindfulness meditation (Brewer et al., 2011; Tang et al., 2012).”
BackgroundJaiswal, S., Tsai, S., Juan, C.-H., Liang, W., & Muggleton, N. G. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00627 · Cited by 55
“A range of cross-sectional and longitudinal meditation research has reported meditators having a higher level of mindfulness and that this may facilitate behavior as well as aspects of brain plasticity (Tang et al., 2007, 2012; Manna et al., 2010; Baijal et al., 2011; Srinivasan and Singh, 2017).”
BackgroundAytur, S. A., Ray, K. L., Meier, S. K., Campbell, J., Gendron, B., Waller, N., & Robin, D. A. (2020) · doi:10.1101/2020.08.10.20144063 · Cited by 49
“However, it is also important to note that prior researchers have documented that the prevalence of chronic pain is higher among females than males (Tsang et al., 2008).”
BackgroundHappiness in Behaviour Genetics: An Update on Heritability and Changeability
Nes, R. B., & Røysamb, E. (2016) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-016-9781-6 · Cited by 59
“…research (Kessler et al. 2012), and intervention studies (Bolier et al. 2013; Sonja Lyubomirsky and Layous 2013; Seligman et al. 2005; Sheldon and Lyubomirsky 2007; Sin and Lyubomirsky 2009) including neuroplasticity studies (Tang et al. 2012; Hölzel et al. 2011; Davidson and McEwen 2012).”
BackgroundFayed, N. M., del Hoyo, Y. L., Andres, E. M., Serrano‐Blanco, A., Bellón, J. Á., Aguilar, K., Cebolla, A., & García‐Campayo, J. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0058476 · Cited by 50
“Using diffusion tensor imaging, several recent studies have shown that training induces changes in white matter efficiency, as measured through fractional anisotropy (FA) [73].”
BackgroundHudak, J., Hanley, A. W., Marchand, W. R., Nakamura, Y., Yabko, B. A., & Garland, E. L. (2020) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1038/s41386-020-00831-4 · Cited by 49
“Furthermore, prior human neuroimaging studies have suggested that sustained FMT power and coherence enhance myelination, measured via functional anisotropy, between the ACC and limbic structures, leading to greater anatomical connectivity after as few as four weeks of mindfulness training in healthy controls [23, 47,…”
BackgroundConscience and consciousness: a definition.
Vithoulkas, G., & Muresanu, D. F. (2014) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 46
Sun, J., Buys, N. J., & Jayasinghe, R. (2014) · Aging & Mental Health · doi:10.1080/13607863.2013.875120 · Cited by 46
Cao, X., Yao, Y., Li, T., Cheng, Y., Feng, W., Shen, Y., Li, Q., Jiang, L., Wu, W., Wang, J., et al. (2016) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep33212 · Cited by 46
“Tang et al. 14 also reported an AD downgrading in the left posterior corona radiata and left sagittal stratum after two weeks of meditation.”
Beerse, M. E., Van Lith, T., Pickett, S. M., & Stanwood, G. D. (2020) · Experimental Biology and Medicine · doi:10.1177/1535370219883634 · Cited by 45
Lyons, K. E., & DeLange, J. (2016) · Mindfulness in behavioral health · doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-3506-2_17 · Cited by 53
Weible, A. P., Piscopo, D. M., Rothbart, M. K., Posner, M. I., & Niell, C. M. (2017) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1700756114 · Cited by 49
“Such training also has been found to increase rhythmic activity in the ventral ACC and improve connectivity in white matter tracts related to the ACC (1, 3, 4).”
BackgroundSelf-citationSpecial issue on mindfulness neuroscience
Tang, Y.-Y., & Posner, M. I. (2013) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nss104 · Cited by 44
Self-citationFeng, L., Romero-García, R., John Suckling, A., Tan, J. S., Larbi, A., Cheah, I. K.-M., Wong, G. C. L., Tsakok, M. F. H., Lanskey, B., Lim, D., et al. (2020) · Aging · doi:10.18632/aging.202374 · Cited by 44
“longitudinal studies based GM/WM volume and FA markers performed in cohorts with similar sample sizes have revealed that whole-brain volumetric and diffusion markers are sensitive to age decline [17, 18] and group intervention [19, 20] in the Chinese population.”
BackgroundAltered paralimbic interaction in behavioral addiction
Rømer Thomsen, K., Joensson, M., Lou, H. C., Møller, A., Gross, J., Kringelbach, M. L., & Changeux, J.-P. (2013) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1302374110 · Cited by 42
“Future longitudinal studies and complementary studies with DTI will be useful (42, 43).”
BackgroundMolecular Mechanisms of Meditation
Jindal, V., Gupta, S., & Das, R. (2013) · Molecular Neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s12035-013-8468-9 · Cited by 42
“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 [6].”
BackgroundEleftheriou, M. E., & Thomas, E. (2021) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.707057 · Cited by 39
Brosnan, M. B., Sabaroedin, K., Silk, T. J., Genc, S., Newman, D. P., Loughnane, G. M., Fornito, A., O’Connell, R. G., & Bellgrove, M. A. (2020) · Nature Human Behaviour · doi:10.1038/s41562-020-0863-4 · Cited by 42
Metadata
- 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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