Meditation-induced neuroplastic changes of the prefrontal network are associated with reduced valence perception in older people.
Bolton K H Chau, Kati Keuper, Mandy M Lo, Kwok-Fai So, Chetwyn C H Chan, Tatia M C Lee
Brain and Neuroscience Advances 2018 DOI: 10.1177/2398212818771822 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Active-controlled experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Healthy older participants |
| Interventions | meditation training relaxation training |
| Duration | 8-week intervention |
| Topics | Meditation Neuroplasticity |
| Keywords | Emotion Magnet resonance imaging Valence |
| Key findings | Meditation training for eight weeks induced structural enlargements in a prefrontal network associated with more neutral valence ratings of affective images. |
Abstract
Neuroplastic underpinnings of meditation-induced changes in affective processing are largely unclear. We included healthy older participants in an active-controlled experiment. They were involved a meditation training or a control relaxation training of eight weeks. Associations between behavioral and neural morphometric changes induced by the training were examined. The meditation group demonstrated a change in valence perception indexed by more neutral valence ratings of positive and negative affective images. These behavioral changes were associated with synchronous structural enlargements in a prefrontal network involving the ventromedial prefrontal cortex and the inferior frontal sulcus. In addition, these neuroplastic effects were modulated by the enlargement in the inferior frontal junction. In contrast, these prefrontal enlargements were absent in the active control group, which completed a relaxation training. Supported by a path analysis, we propose a model that describes how meditation may induce a series of prefrontal neuroplastic changes related to valence perception. These brain areas showing meditation-induced structural enlargements are reduced in older people with affective dysregulations. We demonstrated that a prefrontal network was enlarged after eight weeks of meditation training. Our findings yield translational insights in the endeavor to promote healthy aging by means of meditation.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Cancer patients (clinical intervention study) | 2003 | Mixed methods: scale development, correlational, quasi-experimental, laboratory, experience-sampling, and clinical intervention study | |
| Loving-kindness meditation increases social connectedness. | 2008 | Controlled laboratory experiment | |
| Mindfulness and mind-wandering: Finding convergence through opposing constructs. | 2012 | Two studies: correlational study and experimental study | |
| Mental Training Enhances Attentional Stability: Neural and Behavioral Evidence | 2009 | Experimental study | |
| Mindfulness meditation and substance use in an incarcerated population. Incarcerated population | 2006 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual control condition |
Citations in the library
Cited by 8
- Heartfulness Meditation-induced State and Trait Effects on Long-term, Short-term and Non-meditators Using Connectivity Analysis: An EEG Study on Prefrontal Cortex Annals of Neurosciences August 31, 2026
- Impact of meditation on brain age derived from multimodal neuroimaging in experts and older adults from a randomized trial Scientific Reports October 28, 2025
- The role of Anupreksha meditation in alleviating negative thinking among adults: a cross-sectional study International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health July 30, 2024
- Meditation affects word recognition of meditation novices Psychological Research April 1, 2022
- The Effects of Mindfulness and Buddhist Meditation Coaching on Mental Health Outcomes in College Students. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2022
and 3 more in the library
Cites 22
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- Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Neuroreport November 7, 2005
- Short-term meditation training improves attention and self-regulation Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences October 11, 2007
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
- Regulation of the Neural Circuitry of Emotion by Compassion Meditation: Effects of Meditative Expertise PLoS One March 25, 2008
and 17 more in the library