Enhanced White Matter Integrity in Corpus Callosum of Long-Term Brahmakumaris Rajayoga Meditators.
Kanishka Sharma, Richa Trivedi, Sushil Chandra, Prabhjot Kaur, Pawan Kumar, Kavita Singh, Ashok K Dubey, Subash Khushu
Brain Connectivity February 2018 DOI: 10.1089/brain.2017.0524 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 39 |
| Population | 22 long-term rajayoga meditators and 17 control participants, aged 30 to 50 years |
| Intervention | Rajayoga meditation |
| Measures | fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity |
| Keywords | Brahmakumaris rajayoga meditation Corpus callosum Diffusion tensor tractography Fractional anisotropy Long-term meditation Mean diffusivity |
| Key findings | Long-term rajayoga meditators showed higher fractional anisotropy and lower mean diffusivity in the whole corpus callosum and its segments compared with controls, and meditation experience correlated with these white matter properties. The authors suggest rajayoga meditation may bring potential changes to corpus callosum microstructure, but call for further clinical studies to confirm validity and efficacy. |
Abstract
Meditation has a versatile nature to affect cognitive functioning of human brain. Recent researches demonstrated its effects on white matter (WM) properties of human brain. In this research, we aim to investigate WM microstructure of corpus callosum (CC) in long-term meditators (LTMs) of rajayoga meditation using diffusion tensor imaging. For this cross-sectional analysis, 22 LTMs and 17 control participants of age ranging from 30 to 50 years were recruited. Results show high fractional anisotropy values with low mean diffusivity in whole as well as different segments of CC in the LTM group. Also the experience of meditation was correlated with WM properties of CC tracts. Findings may suggest rajayoga meditation to bring potential changes in microstructure of CC segments. Further studies are suggested in clinical population to check its validity and efficacy against disorders involving agenesis of WM.
Citations in the library
Cited by 9
- High Theta–Low Alpha Modulation of Brain Electric Activity During Eyes-Open Brahma Kumaris Rajyoga Meditation Mindfulness July 1, 2023
- Enhanced amygdala–anterior cingulate white matter structural connectivity in Sahaja Yoga Meditators PLoS One March 28, 2024
- Rajyoga Meditation Experience Induces Enhanced Positive Thoughts and Alters Gray Matter Volume of Brain Regions: A Cross-sectional Study Mindfulness May 8, 2021
- Coherence-based interhemispheric EEG functional connectivity changes in distinct frequency bands during eyes open meditation bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) February 6, 2023
- Functional reorganization of the brain in distinct frequency bands during eyes-open meditation. Consciousness and Cognition October 28, 2023
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