Dynamic causal modeling of low-density resting-state EEG in long-term meditation practitioners
Scientific Reports February 26, 2026 Gianluca Rho, Francesco Bossi, Ngawang Norbu et al.
Long-term meditation practice alters connectivity within two key resting-state brain networks: the default mode network (DMN) and the salience network (SN). Experienced meditators show enhanced self-referential processing in the DMN and reduced reactivity in the SN, suggesting that meditation refines attentional control and internal awareness. The study used dynamic causal modeling for EEG to analyze effective connectivity in a unique monastic population—monks and geshes from the Tibetan University of Sera Jey in India. These findings provide new insights into the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying long-term meditation and highlight monastic practitioners as a valuable model for studying experience-related brain changes.