Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science
November 1, 2024
Isaac N Treves, Hilary A Marusak, Alexandra Decker et al.
7 citations
A significant finding reveals that adolescents with higher trait mindfulness experience lower anxiety and depression symptoms. An analysis of 106 adolescents, ages 12 to 15, identified a reliable brain state characterized by hyperconnectivity, showing an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.65. This state, marked by elevated positive connectivity between networks, was positively correlated with self-reported trait mindfulness. While most dynamic brain states were unreliable across scans, this hyperconnected state may reflect enhanced awareness and arousal in those exhibiting higher mindfulness traits.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology
July 4, 2024
Isaac N Treves, Hilary A Marusak, Alexandra Decker et al.
3 citations
preprint
A highly reliable brain state linked to trait mindfulness was identified in adolescents, highlighting its potential role in mental health. In a study of 106 participants aged 12 to 15, one hyperconnected state showed good reliability (ICC=0.65) and correlated positively with self-reported trait mindfulness. Adolescents exhibiting higher trait mindfulness experienced lower anxiety and depression symptoms. While most dynamic brain states were unreliable across scans, this particular state suggests that increased mindfulness may enhance awareness and arousal, offering insights into adolescent mental well-being.
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
February 10, 2026
Isaac N Treves, Clare Shaffer, Alexandra Decker et al.
Lapses in attention to internal bodily sensations, such as the breath, are predicted by behavioral and neural markers that overlap with those for lapses in external attention but also involve distinct brain systems. In 93 adolescents with depressive symptoms performing a breath-counting task during fMRI, the strongest predictors of attention lapses were the timing and variability of button responses. Breathing variability and coupling between breathing and behavior showed weaker predictive value. Brain connectivity models, incorporating default-mode, dorsal attention, ventral attention, and somatomotor networks, predicted lapses with modest accuracy and marginally outperformed behavior-only models. These findings suggest shared and unique mechanisms for interoceptive attention failures.
Cognitive, affective & behavioral neuroscience
June 23, 2026
Isaac N Treves, Clare Shaffer, Alexandra Decker et al.
During mind-body practices like meditation, attention to breathing often lapses. This study examined behavioral, physiological, and neural signals preceding such interoceptive lapses in 93 adolescents with elevated anxiety and depression symptoms, who performed a breath-counting task during fMRI. The strongest predictors of lapses were the timing and variability of button responses. Breathing variability and breathing-behavior synchronization had smaller predictive value. Whole-brain connectivity models, incorporating default-mode, attention, and somatomotor networks, predicted lapses moderately and marginally outperformed behavior-only models. Some markers overlapped with known exteroceptive lapses (reaction time variability), while others were unique (perceptual coupling with attention networks). These brain-body markers may aid real-time monitoring during mind-body interventions.