Activation of the anterior prefrontal cortex and serotonergic system is associated with improvements in mood and EEG changes induced by Zen meditation practice in novices.

Focused attention on lower-abdomen breathing (Tanden) for 20 minutes increased oxygenated hemoglobin in the anterior prefrontal cortex, a region linked to attention, in 15 healthy novices. This was accompanied by reduced negative mood, increased alpha brainwave activity, decreased theta activity, and a rise in whole blood serotonin levels. The findings suggest that activation of the prefrontal cortex and serotonin system may underlie the mood improvements and EEG changes observed during this form of Zen meditation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

To gain insight into the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in Zen meditation, we evaluated the effects of focused attention (FA) on breathing movements in the lower abdomen (Tanden) in novices. We investigated hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an attention-related brain region, using 24-channel near-infrared spectroscopy during a 20-minute session of FA on Tanden breathing in 15 healthy volunteers. We found that the level of oxygenated hemoglobin in the anterior PFC was significantly increased during FA on Tanden breathing, accompanied by a reduction in feelings of negative mood compared to before the meditation session. Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed increased alpha band activity and decreased theta band activity during and after FA on Tanden breathing. EEG changes were correlated with a significant increase in whole blood serotonin (5-HT) levels. These results suggest that activation of the anterior PFC and 5-HT system may be responsible for the improvement of negative mood and EEG signal changes observed during FA on Tanden breathing.