What Has Neuroimaging Taught Us on the Neurobiology of Yoga? A Review
June van Aalst, Jenny Ceccarini, Koen Demyttenaere, Stefan Sunaert, Koen van Laere
Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience July 8, 2020 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2020.00034 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Yoga practitioners |
| Topics | Default mode network |
| Keywords | Insula Functional neuroimaging Positron emission tomography Prefrontal cortex Functional imaging Cognition |
| Citations | 57 |
| Key findings | Yoga practice is associated with increased gray matter volume in the insula and hippocampus, increased prefrontal cortical activation, and functional connectivity changes within the default mode network. |
Abstract
Yoga is becoming increasingly popular worldwide, with several implicated physical and mental benefits. Here we provide a comprehensive and critical review of the research generated from the existing neuroimaging literature in studies of yoga practitioners. We reviewed 34 international peer-reviewed neuroimaging studies of yoga using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): 11 morphological and 26 functional studies, including three studies that were classified as both morphological and functional. Consistent findings include increased gray matter volume in the insula and hippocampus, increased activation of prefrontal cortical regions, and functional connectivity changes mainly within the default mode network. There is quite some variability in the neuroimaging findings that partially reflects different yoga styles and approaches, as well as sample size limitations. Direct comparator groups such as physical activity are scarcely used so far. Finally, hypotheses on the underlying neurobiology derived from the imaging findings are discussed in the light of the potential beneficial effects of yoga.