The posterior cingulate cortex as a plausible mechanistic target of meditation: findings from neuroimaging.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences January 1, 2014 Judson A. Brewer, Kathleen A Garrison
Mindfulness training targets brain regions like the posterior cingulate cortex, a hub of the default mode network, according to a review of psychological and neuroimaging research. Ancient and modern models of stress, such as operant conditioning, converge on plausible biological mechanisms for mindfulness. Recent studies using real-time functional magnetic resonance imaging neurofeedback in neurophenomenological investigations reveal how meditation alters activity in task-positive and default mode networks, reducing mind wandering. The paper highlights emerging findings that link mindfulness practice to changes in brain function, though it does not report new experimental results.