Default mode and frontal executive network interactions enable interoceptive attention & mindfulness
Gillian Grennan, Pragathi Balasubramani, Vojislav Maric, Dhakshin Ramanathan, Jyoti Mishra
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 161 |
| Population | Adults |
| Topics | Default mode network Meditation |
| Key findings | Consistency of interoceptive attention during an attention-to-breathing task correlated with performance efficiency across exteroceptive cognitive tasks. Distracted trials showed greater DLPFC recruitment and Precuneus suppression with increased DLPFC-Precuneus connectivity, while attentive trials showed greater ACC-Insula connectivity. Trait mindfulness correlated with DLPFC-Precuneus connectivity on distracted trials and ACC-Insula connectivity on attentive trials, suggesting dynamic network interactions mark interoceptive attention. |
Abstract
Abstract Interoceptive attention to internal sensory signals is fundamental to mindfulness. In an attention-to-breathing task in 161 adults, we found that consistency of interoceptive attention significantly correlated with performance efficiency across several exteroceptive cognitive domain tasks. EEG source mapping within subjects showed that on low-consistency or distracted trials there was greater recruitment of frontal executive control activity in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and suppression of the posterior default mode network (Precuneus), with increased functional connectivity between these regions. In contrast, high-consistency or attentive trials were associated with greater connectivity between Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) and Insula, key nodes of the cognitive control network for attention monitoring. Notably, individual trait mindfulness was correlated with greater functional connectivity between DLPFC-Precuneus on distracted trials and greater ACC-Insula connectivity on attentive trials. These results showcase dynamic network interactions underlying objective markers of interoceptive attention and subjective rating mindfulness.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Using Self-Report Assessment Methods to Explore Facets of Mindfulness Undergraduate students | 2006 | Observational cohort | |
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness Participants with extensive Insight meditation experience and matched controls | 2005 | Observational cohort | n = 20 |
| Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Experienced meditators and matched meditation-naive controls | 2011 | Observational cohort | |
| Long-term meditators self-induce high-amplitude gamma synchrony during mental practice Long-term Buddhist practitioners and controls | 2004 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cites 15
- Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation Psychosomatic Medicine July 1, 2003
- Meditation experience is associated with differences in default mode network activity and connectivity Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences November 23, 2011
- Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 28, 2007
- Interoception, contemplative practice, and health Frontiers in Psychology June 9, 2015
- Meditation leads to reduced default mode network activity beyond an active task Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioral Neuroscience April 22, 2015
and 10 more in the library