Source localisation of cortical oscillation differences in Yoga meditation between medium and advanced level practitioners

Advanced meditators (mean 30 years' experience) showed higher current source density in high-frequency EEG bands, predominantly in the right temporal lobes, insula, and inferior frontal gyrus, compared to medium-level practitioners (mean 4 years' experience). The medium group had higher current source density in lower frequencies in the right occipital and temporal lobes, precentral gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus. Distinct right-lateralized networks were identified for low and high frequency bands, suggesting that meditation expertise is associated with specific changes in cortical oscillation patterns.

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Event Abstract Back to Event Source localisation of cortical oscillation differences in Yoga meditation between medium and advanced level practitioners Graham A. Jamieson1, John Thomas2* and Marc Cohen2 1 University of New England, Australia 2 RMIT University, Australia Previous studies have shown increased EEG power in lower frequency bands for experienced practitioners in both meditation states and baseline conditions. In distinction, higher power in the gamma band has been found in advanced Buddhist meditators across differing meditation practices. We used exact Low Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography (eLORETA) to compare experienced (mean 4 years’ experience) and advanced (mean 30 years’ experience) Australian meditators from the Satyananda Yoga tradition on two meditation practices and a mental calculation (counting) condition. The advanced group had significantly higher current source density (CSD) in the high frequencies predominantly in the right temporal lobes, insula and inferior frontal gyrus. The student group showed significantly higher CSD in the lower frequencies in right occipital and temporal lobes, precentral gyrus and superior frontal gyrus. Distinct right lateral networks common to trait and state related group differences were identified in low and high frequency bands respectively. Acknowledgements This study was supported by a grant from Swan Research Institute, a non-profit organization promoting research into Yoga in Australia. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Ian Evans and Peter Grimbeek in the preparation of this paper. References Arambula, P., E. Peper, et al. (2001). "The physiological correlates of Kundalini Yoga meditation: a study of a yoga master." Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 26(2): 147-153. Berkovich-Ohana, A., J. Glicksohn, et al. (2012). 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"Anterior cingulate activity as a predictor of degree of treatment response in major depression: evidence from brain electrical tomography analysis." Am J Psychiatry 158: 405-415. Radhakrishnan, S. (1999). Indian Philosophy. Oxford, Oxford University Press. Saraswati, S. S. (1981). Yoga and Kriya. Munger, India, Yoga Publications Trust. Saraswati, S. S. (1983). Meditations from the Tantras. Munger, Yoga Publications Trust. Shapiro, S. (2003). "An analysis of recent meditation research." J Meditation Med Res 3(1): 69-90. Zumsteg, D., A. Friedman, et al. (2006). "Propagation of interictal discharges in temporal lobe epilepsy: correlation of spatiotemporal mapping with intracranial foramen ovale electrode recordings." Clin. Neurophysiol 117: 2615-2626 Keywords: Yoga, Meditation, EEG, eLORETA, networks, proficiency level Conference: ACNS-2012 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 29 Nov - 2 Dec, 2012. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Other Citation: Jamieson GA, Thomas J and Cohen M (2012). Source localisation of cortical oscillation differences in Yoga meditation between medium and advanced level practitioners. Conference Abstract: ACNS-2012 Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Conference. doi: 10.3389/conf.fnhum.2012.208.00049 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 25 Oct 2012; Published Online: 07 Nov 2012. * Correspondence: Mr. John Thomas, RMIT University, Bundoora, Australia, johnthomas7@bigpond.com Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. 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