Can the neural-cortisol association be moderated by experience-induced changes in awareness?
Way K W Lau, Mei-Kei Leung, Chetwyn C H Chan, Samuel S Y Wong, Tatia M C Lee
Scientific Reports November 18, 2015 DOI: 10.1038/srep16620 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractChanges in awareness can moderate the relationship between brain activity and cortisol levels. In a longitudinal study, 21 Chinese participants practiced either Awareness-based compassion meditation (ABCM) or relaxation. Those who showed greater changes in awareness also showed stronger associations between hippocampal changes and cortisol changes. A negative link was found between plasma cortisol changes and resting-state synchrony of the right hippocampus and insular-frontal-operculum regions. These findings suggest that planned behavioral experiences, such as meditation, can influence how the brain regulates cortisol, potentially informing interventions for cortisol-related disorders.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Longitudinal study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 21 |
| Population | Chinese participants |
| Interventions | Awareness-based compassion meditation (ABCM) Relaxation |
| Key finding | Changes in awareness moderated the association between hippocampal changes and cortisol changes, and a negative association was found between plasma cortisol changes and resting-state synchrony of the right hippocampus and insular-frontal-operculum regions. |
Abstract
Cortisol homeostasis is important for cognitive and affective functions that depend on cortisol-sensitive brain regions including the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Recent studies have shown that training induces changes in the brain. We report the findings of a longitudinal study that verified the moderation effect of experience-induced changes in awareness on the neural-cortisol association in cortisol-sensitive brain regions. These findings provide the first piece of evidence that planned behavioral experience can moderate the neural-cortisol association. A range of changes in awareness was achieved in a sample of 21 Chinese participants, divided into two groups: Awareness-based compassion meditation (ABCM) (n = 10) and relaxation (n = 11). We observed that changes in awareness were significant moderators of hippocampal-cortisol changes. Furthermore, a significant negative association between changes in plasma cortisol level and the resting-state synchrony of the right hippocampal and insular-frontal-operculum regions was observed. These novel findings shed light on the inter-relationships between changes in hippocampal-cortisol levels and changes in awareness and preliminarily identify the neural underpinnings of interventions for cortisol-related abnormal functioning for further study.