A Chinese translation of the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Version 2 (MAIA-2) was developed and tested in 627 participants. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 7-factor model after removing 6 items, and confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit. The total scale had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.822, with subscale alphas ranging from 0.656 to 0.838. Convergent validity was supported by correlations with the Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (r = −0.342 to 0.535), and discriminant validity by negative correlations with trait anxiety (r = −0.352 to −0.080). The Chinese version is a valid and reliable tool for assessing interoceptive awareness in Chinese populations.
Meditation practice is linked to changes in brain electrical activity measured by EEG, but results across studies vary. This systematic review and meta-analysis found significant positive effects for alpha, beta, and gamma brain waves, but no significant effect for theta waves. The measurement state—whether brain activity was recorded during meditation versus rest—was a potential moderator, but this finding was not robust. Meditation type, practitioner expertise, and EEG frequency band did not significantly explain differences. Exploratory analysis suggested a modest link between longer practice duration and larger theta-wave effects, but this is uncertain due to uneven data and mostly cross-sectional studies. The findings highlight the need for standardized longitudinal research.
Cannabis-dependent individuals show an unusual link between negative emotions and poor cognitive performance, unlike healthy controls. Analyzing resting-state fMRI data from the Human Connectome Project, the authors found opposite brain-behavior associations in the two groups: in healthy controls, better cognitive performance correlated with stronger within-network connectivity and segregation of the cognitive network, but these correlations were reversed in cannabis-dependent individuals. In cannabis-dependent individuals, better cognitive performance correlated with stronger within-network effective connectivity and integration, associations not significant in controls. Effective connectivity within the cognition network also mediated the behavioral coupling between emotional state and cognitive performance. The results suggest disorganization of the cognitive network in cannabis dependence.
Personalized video recommendations on platforms like TikTok can trigger addiction-like behaviors in some users. A survey and fMRI study of young adults found that more undesired symptoms—such as difficulty controlling use—correlated with lower self-control, and about 5.9% of users showed significant problematic use. Brain scans revealed that viewing personalized (vs. non-personalized) videos increased activity in the default mode network, ventral tegmental area, and regions involved in attention and sensory processing. Stronger connections between these brain areas and visual/auditory pathways suggest how recommendation algorithms may keep users engaged by tapping into neural systems for self-relevance and reward.