Cortical thickness, mental absorption and meditative practice: possible implications for disorders of attention.
Joshua A Grant, Emma G Duerden, Jérôme Courtemanche, Mariya Cherkasova, Gary H Duncan, Pierre Rainville
Biological Psychology February 2013 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2012.09.007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | 18 meditators and 18 controls |
| Intervention | Meditation |
| Key findings | Meditators showed modestly higher attentional absorption than controls, and greater cortical thickness in cingulo-fronto-parietal attention regions, with thickness positively related to the extent of prior meditation training. Across the whole sample, attentional absorption correlated positively with cortical thickness in these regions. The authors argue that meditative practice activates these areas and may improve attention and ameliorate ADHD symptoms by targeting vulnerable brain regions. |
Abstract
Mental training techniques rooted in meditation are associated with attention improvement, increased activation and cortical thickening of attention/executive-related brain areas. Interestingly, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with behavioural deficits, hypo-activation and cortical thinning of similar networks. This study assessed the relationship between prior meditative training, attentional absorption, and cortical thickness. Grey matter thickness was measured in 18 meditators and 18 controls. Subjective reports of attentional absorption were modestly higher in meditators and across the entire sample correlated positively with cortical thickness in several regions corresponding to cingulo-fronto-parietal attention networks. Within these regions the meditation group had greater cortical thickness which was positively related to the extent of prior training. Evidence suggesting that meditative practice activates these cortical areas, improves attention and may ameliorate symptoms of ADHD by targeting vulnerable brain regions is discussed.
Citations in the library
Cited by 37
- Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness Frontiers in Psychology September 4, 2018
- Absorption and spiritual experience: A review of evidence and potential mechanisms. Consciousness and Cognition August 1, 2019
- The neuroscience of meditation: classification, phenomenology, correlates, and mechanisms. Progress in Brain Research 2019
- A Methodological Review of Meditation Research Frontiers in Psychiatry July 1, 2014
- Epistemological implications of near-death experiences and other non-ordinary mental expressions: Moving beyond the concept of altered state of consciousness Medical Hypotheses April 11, 2015
and 32 more in the library
Cites 22
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- 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
- Neural correlates of attentional expertise in long-term meditation practitioners Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences June 28, 2007
- A systematic review of neurobiological and clinical features of mindfulness meditations Psychological Medicine November 27, 2009
and 17 more in the library