Mindfulness meditation training is linked to structural changes in the hippocampus, specifically the subiculum, which are associated with reduced connectivity between the hippocampus and lateral occipital regions during the retrieval of extinguished fear memories. This reduced connectivity correlates with decreases in self-reported anxiety after mindfulness training. The findings suggest that the subiculum plays a key role in regulating interactions with contextual cues during memory retrieval, and that mindfulness training may foster resilience by altering these brain circuits.
Trauma-related nightmares (TRNs) elicit psychophysiological responses similar to those triggered by recalling the original traumatic event. In a pilot study of 17 trauma-exposed participants with clinical or sub-clinical PTSD who reported frequent TRNs, heart rate, skin conductance, and facial muscle activity did not differ significantly between recollections of the index trauma and the most trauma-like nightmare. Bayesian analyses supported the null hypothesis of no difference. Emotional ratings were also largely equivalent, except that sadness was lower for nightmare recollections. These findings suggest TRNs might be as effective a target as the trauma memory itself for imaginal exposure therapy, pending replication.