Dynamic Functional Connectivity Correlates of Trait Mindfulness in Early Adolescence.
Isaac N Treves, Hilary A Marusak, Alexandra Decker, Aaron Kucyi, Nicholas A. Hubbard, Clemens C C Bauer, Julia Leonard, Hannah Grotzinger, Melissa A Giebler, Yesi Camacho Torres, Andrea Imhof, Rachel Romeo, Vince D Calhoun, John D E Gabrieli
Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science November 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100367 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 106 |
| Population | Adolescents ages 12 to 15 |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Adolescents Brain states Dynamics Hyperconnectivity Trait mindfulness |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key findings | Time spent in a hyperconnected dynamic brain state positively correlated with trait mindfulness in adolescents. |
Abstract
Trait mindfulness-the tendency to attend to present-moment experiences without judgment-is negatively correlated with adolescent anxiety and depression. Understanding the neural mechanisms that underlie trait mindfulness may inform the neural basis of psychiatric disorders. However, few studies have identified brain connectivity states that are correlated with trait mindfulness in adolescence, and they have not assessed the reliability of such states. To address this gap in knowledge, we rigorously assessed the reliability of brain states across 2 functional magnetic resonance imaging scans from 106 adolescents ages 12 to 15 (50% female). We performed both static and dynamic functional connectivity analyses and evaluated the test-retest reliability of how much time adolescents spent in each state. For the reliable states, we assessed associations with self-reported trait mindfulness. Higher trait mindfulness correlated with lower anxiety and depression symptoms. Static functional connectivity (intraclass correlation coefficients 0.31-0.53) was unrelated to trait mindfulness. Among the dynamic brains states that we identified, most were unreliable within individuals across scans. However, one state, a hyperconnected state of elevated positive connectivity between networks, showed good reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.65). We found that the amount of time that adolescents spent in this hyperconnected state positively correlated with trait mindfulness. By applying dynamic functional connectivity analysis on over 100 resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans, we identified a highly reliable brain state that correlated with trait mindfulness. This brain state may reflect a state of mindfulness, or awareness and arousal more generally, which may be more pronounced in people who are higher in trait mindfulness.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Connectome-Based Predictive Modeling of Trait Mindfulness. Human Brain Mapping 2025
- Dynamic brain states underlying advanced concentrative absorption meditation: A 7-T fMRI-intensive case study. Network Neuroscience 2025
- Dynamic functional connectivity signatures of focused attention on the breath in adolescents. Cerebral Cortex February 5, 2025
- Connectome predictive modeling of trait mindfulness bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) July 14, 2024
Cites 18
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Assessment of Mindfulness by Self-Report Assessment September 1, 2004
- Assessing mindfulness in children and adolescents: Development and validation of the Child and Adolescent Mindfulness Measure (CAMM). Psychological Assessment April 11, 2011
- Assessing adolescent mindfulness: Validation of an Adapted Mindful Attention Awareness Scale in adolescent normative and psychiatric populations. Psychological Assessment 2011
- Default Mode Network Modulation by Psychedelics: A Systematic Review The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology October 21, 2022
and 13 more in the library