Underlying mechanisms of mindfulness meditation: Genomics, circuits, and networks.

Mindfulness meditation appears to influence mental health through changes in gene expression, brain circuits, and neural networks. Evidence shows that mindfulness practices affect stress-related inflammatory markers by altering gene expression in immune cells. The review identifies three key brain networks involved: the default mode network, central executive network, and salience network. However, more research is needed to fully understand the neuropsychological mechanisms by which mindfulness meditation alleviates symptoms of mental disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Understanding neuropsychological mechanisms of mindfulness meditation (MM) has been a hot topic in recent years. This review was conducted with the goal of synthesizing empirical relationships via the genomics, circuits and networks between MM and mental disorders. We describe progress made in assessing the effects of MM on gene expression in immune cells, with particular focus on stress-related inflammatory markers and associated biological pathways. We then focus on key brain circuits associated with mindfulness practices and effects on symptoms of mental disorders, and expand our discussion to identify three key brain networks associated with mindfulness practices including default mode network, central executive network, and salience network. More research efforts need to be devoted into identifying underlying neuropsychological mechanisms of MM on how it alleviates the symptoms of mental disorders.