Change in emotional self-concept following socio-cognitive training relates to structural plasticity of the prefrontal cortex.
Anna-Lena Lumma, Sofie L. Valk, Anne Böckler, Pascal Vrtička, Tania Singer
Brain and Behavior April 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.940 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Longitudinal observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Participants in the ReSource Project |
| Intervention | socio-cognitive training targeting perspective-taking capacities |
| Topics | Meditation Neuroplasticity |
| Keywords | Cortical thickness Emotional word use Mental training Self‐concept content Self‐descriptions |
| Key findings | Training-induced increase in emotional word use in self-descriptions was positively related to cortical thickness change in right mPFC extending to dlPFC, and increased negative emotional word use was positively associated with cortical thickness change in left pars orbitalis and bilateral dlPFC. |
Abstract
Self-referential processing is a key component of the emotional self-concept. Previous studies have shown that emotional self-referential processing is related to structure and function of cortical midline areas such as medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and that it can be altered on a behavioral level by specific mental training practices. However, it remains unknown how behavioral training-related change in emotional self-concept content relates to structural plasticity. To address this issue, we examined the relationship between training-induced change in participant's emotional self-concept measured through emotional word use in the Twenty Statement Test and change in cortical thickness in the context of a large-scale longitudinal mental training study called the ReSource Project. Based on prior behavioral findings showing increased emotional word use particularly after socio-cognitive training targeting perspective-taking capacities, this study extended these results by revealing that individual differences in the degree to which participants changed their emotional self-concept after training was positively related to cortical thickness change in right mPFC extending to dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC). Furthermore, increased self-related negative emotional word use after training was positively associated with cortical thickness change in left pars orbitalis and bilateral dlPFC. Our findings reveal training-related structural brain change in regions known to be involved in self-referential processing and cognitive control, and could indicate a relationship between restructuring of the emotional self-concept content as well as reappraisal of negative aspects and cortical thickness change. As such, our findings can guide the development of psychological interventions targeted to alter specific facets of the self-concept.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on neuroplasticity, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Age-matched participants including expert meditators and novices | 2007 | Observational cohort | |
| Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression: fMRI-measured brain mechanisms. Patients with treatment-resistant depression | 2017 | Observational cohort | n = 19 |
| Functional Reorganization of the Default Mode Network across Chronic Pain Conditions Patients with chronic back pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and knee osteoarthritis | 2014 | Observational cohort | |
| State and Training Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Brain Networks Reflect Neuronal Mechanisms of Its Antidepressant Effect Novice meditators | 2016 | Longitudinal study | n = 13 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Shifting Baselines: Longitudinal Reductions in EEG Beta Band Power Characterize Resting Brain Activity with Intensive Meditation. Mindfulness 2022
- Event-related potential and behavioural differences in affective self-referential processing in long-term meditators versus controls. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience April 1, 2020
- Shifting Baselines: Longitudinal Reductions in EEG Beta Band Power Characterize Resting Brain Activity with Intensive Meditation
Cites 13
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- Differential Effects of Attention-, Compassion-, and Socio-Cognitively Based Mental Practices on Self-Reports of Mindfulness and Compassion Mindfulness December 1, 2017
- Structural plasticity of the social brain: Differential change after socio-affective and cognitive mental training. Science Advances October 4, 2017
and 8 more in the library