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Negative correlations between local gray matter and age. Displayed are maximum intensity projections superimposed onto the SPM standard glass brain (sagittal, coronal, axial). Shown, in red, are significant negative age-related correlations within controls (top) and meditators (bottom). Significance profiles are corrected for multiple comparisons via controlling the family-wise error (FWE) rate at p ≤ 0.05. Note the less extended clusters in meditators compared to controls.
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While overall life expectancy has been increasing, the human brain still begins deteriorating after the first two decades of life and continues degrading further with increasing age. Thus, techniques that diminish the negative impact of aging on the brain are desirable. Existing research, although scarce, suggests meditation to be an attractive can...
Citations
... can learn demographic information [178][179][180][181]. Studies have shown that neuroimaging-derived age prediction corresponds to the influences of other disorders, such as cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease, and age and sex per se [182][183][184], which have been explored in several brain illnesses. The disparities between predicted and chronological ages may be attributed to the accumulation of age-related alterations in pathological circumstances [185][186][187] or protective factors in brain aging [188,189]. Furthermore, CXR-derived age can be used as an imaging biomarker to indicate the state of the thorax or metabolism [175][176][177] and successfully predict lifespan, mortality, cardiovascular risk, and heart failure prognosis [175,177,190], providing a solid foundation for the imaging biomarker concept. Another approach for extracting relevant prognostic imaging biomarkers involves training a deep survival model using staged binary classifiers of death or incident cancer [175,191,192]. ...
Artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology is a rapidly developing field with several prospective clinical studies demonstrating its benefits in clinical practice. In 2022, the Korean Society of Radiology held a forum to discuss the challenges and drawbacks in AI development and implementation. Various barriers hinder the successful application and widespread adoption of AI in radiology, such as limited annotated data, data privacy and security, data heterogeneity, imbalanced data, model interpretability, overfitting, and integration with clinical workflows. In this review, some of the various possible solutions to these challenges are presented and discussed; these include training with longitudinal and multimodal datasets, dense training with multitask learning and multimodal learning, self-supervised contrastive learning, various image modifications and syntheses using generative models, explainable AI, causal learning, federated learning with large data models, and digital twins.
... (Smart, 2019). Further, there is a significant crosssectional body of literature comparing long-term (LT) meditators to matched healthy adults with no meditation experience (Luders et al., 2009(Luders et al., , 2013b(Luders et al., , 2014Newberg et al., 2010;Kurth et al., 2015;Laneri et al., 2015). Experimental studies have demonstrated the effects of MM on the brain can emerge over relatively brief timeframes (e.g., 8-week intervention studies to 15 min MM induction) (Smart, 2019). ...
Mindfulness meditation has been shown to be beneficial for a range of different health conditions, impacts brain function and structure relatively quickly, and has shown promise with aging samples. Functional magnetic resonance imaging metrics provide insight into neurovascular health which plays a key role in both normal and pathological aging processes. Experimental mindfulness meditation studies that included functional magnetic resonance metrics as an outcome measure may point to potential neurovascular mechanisms of action relevant for aging adults that have not yet been previously examined. We first review the resting-state magnetic resonance studies conducted in exclusively older adult age samples. Findings from older adult-only samples are then used to frame the findings of task magnetic resonance imaging studies conducted in both clinical and healthy adult samples. Based on the resting-state studies in older adults and the task magnetic resonance studies in adult samples, we propose three potential mechanisms by which mindfulness meditation may offer a neurovascular therapeutic benefit for older adults: (1) a direct neurovascular mechanism via increased resting-state cerebral blood flow; (2) an indirect anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism via increased functional connectivity within the default mode network, and (3) a top-down control mechanism that likely reflects both a direct and an indirect neurovascular pathway.
... In addition, several mindful practices can promote neuroplasticity and increase brain connectivity during adolescence and adulthood (Fox & Cahn, 2021;H€ olzel et al., 2011;Tang, H€ olzel, & Posner, 2015), suggesting a positive influence across age groups, including a contribution to healthy aging. For example, in one interesting study the link between aging and gray matter was analyzed on long-term meditators, demonstrating a significant reduction in age-related gray matter atrophy and a potential positive impact on aging and neurodegeneration, as compared to an age-matched control group (Luders, Cherbuin, & Kurth, 2015). ...
Many environmental and lifestyle related factors may influence the physiology of the brain and body by acting on fundamental molecular pathways, such as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) and the immune system. For example, stressful conditions created by adverse early-life events, unhealthy habits and low socio-economic status may favor the onset of diseases linked to neuroendocrine dysregulation, inflammation and neuroinflammation. Beside pharmacological treatments used in clinical settings, much attention has been given to complementary treatments such as mind-body techniques involving meditation that rely on the activation of inner resources to regain health. At the molecular level, the effects of both stress and meditation are elicited epigenetically through a set of mechanisms that regulate gene expression as well as the circulating neuroendocrine and immune effectors. Epigenetic mechanisms constantly reshape genome activities in response to external stimuli, representing a molecular interface between organism and environment. In the present work, we aimed to review the current knowledge on the correlation between epigenetics, gene expression, stress and its possible antidote, meditation. After introducing the relationship between brain, physiology, and epigenetics, we will proceed to describe three basic epigenetic mechanisms: chromatin covalent modifications, DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs. Subsequently, we will give an overview of the physiological and molecular aspects related to stress. Finally, we will address the epigenetic effects of meditation on gene expression. The results of the studies reported in this review demonstrate that mindful practices modulate the epigenetic landscape, leading to increased resilience. Therefore, these practices can be considered valuable tools that complement pharmacological treatments when coping with pathologies related to stress.
... Benefits include reduced stress and anxiety levels, improved sleep, improved mood, and an increase in resilience and coping skills [20,21], all factors that contribute to improved mental health, wellbeing, and quality of life. In addition, people who meditate have been shown to have less age-related brain atrophy [22]. Unlike cognitive behavioural therapy, which is goal oriented, mindfulness meditation relies on nonjudgmental observation. ...
Kidney disease is often progressive, and patients experience diminished health-related quality of life. In addition, the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and its associated restrictions, has brought many additional burdens. It is therefore essential that effective and affordable systems are explored to improve the psychological health of this group that can be delivered safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to support a new service development project in partnership with the UK’s leading patient support charity Kidney Care UK by implementing the four-session Compassionate Mindful Resilience (CMR) programme, developed by MindfulnessUK, and explore its effectiveness for patients with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease or have received a kidney transplant. The study will utilise a quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design to measure the effect of the CMR programme on anxiety, depression, self-compassion, the ability to be mindful, wellbeing, and resilience, using pre- and posttests, alongside a qualitative exploration to explore factors influencing the feasibility, acceptability, and suitability of the intervention, with patients (and the Mindfulness Teacher) and their commitment to practice. Outcomes from this study will include an evidence-based mindfulness and compassion programme for use with people with kidney disease, which is likely to have applicability across other chronic diseases.
... Tremendous development in the filed of technology, medical science has increased the life expectancy more than 10 years around the world [1]. Life style has changed dramatically in past few decades which presents major challenges as byproduct: increased risk of mental illness like anxiety, depression, sleep related problems, tension, headaches, etc. ...
Meditation is practiced since the old days and its popularity is growing in recent years to get better mental as well as physical health in a natural way. A rapidly increasing
number of studies are involved in finding the biological mechanism underlying the beneficial impacts of meditation. Surface electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive way to record the electrical activity of the brain which carries important signature
about the different neural processing, going on inside the brain. EEG signals show oscillations at different frequency bands known as EEG rhythms which are associated with divergent neurophysiological states. In this paper, we have analyzed the
effect of chanting ’Hare Krishna Mantra’ (HKM) on EEG rhythms. Relative band power of different rhythms, after and before one round (108 times) chanting HKM, are compared. A
non-stationary signal decomposition tool, Fourier-Bessel series expansion is used to calculate the band power. After mediation, alpha band power has increased significantly which implies the relaxed and peaceful state of mind. This study on HKM chanting
effects on EEG rhythms may show a simple but effective path to control stress, depression, tension, etc
... More broadly, mindfulness is associated with the aging process, and preliminary evidence suggests that mindfulness training may "slow, stop, or even reverse age-related brain degeneration" [18]. These authors found that experienced mediators showed less age-related neurotissue degeneration [18]. ...
... More broadly, mindfulness is associated with the aging process, and preliminary evidence suggests that mindfulness training may "slow, stop, or even reverse age-related brain degeneration" [18]. These authors found that experienced mediators showed less age-related neurotissue degeneration [18]. ...
... Z wielu badań wynika, że systematyczne praktykowanie medytacji prowadzi do pozytywnych zmian neuroplastycznych, zarówno pod względem wielkości istotny szarej (liczba i gęstość komórek nerwowych), jak i białej (poziom mielinizacji włókien nerwowych odpowiadający za szybkość przesyłu informacji) [4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. Decydującym czynnikiem o pojawienie się takich pozytywnych zjawisk okazują się być praktyki medytacyjne a zwłaszcza zaawansowanie medytacyjne. ...
... Należy zaznaczyć, że poziom wielkości istoty szarej i białej spada wraz z wiekiem nie tylko o ludzi bez doświadczenia medytacyjnego, ale również u osób posiadających duże doświadczenie medytacyjne. Jednak spadek ten -jak zdają się dowodzić niektóre badania (badania porównawcze osób będących w wieku od 20 do 80) [6] jest wyraźnie słabszy niż u osób nie posiadających takiego doświadczenia. Ponadto u osób posiadających duże doświadczenie medytacyjne negatywna korelacja pomiędzy grubością istoty szarej a wiekiem jest mniejsza niż u osób nie posiadających takiego doświadczenia oraz obejmuje swoim zasięgiem mniejsze obszary mózgu [8]. ...
... Należy podkreślić, że wnioski dotyczące powiązań pomiędzy zaawansowaniem w medytacji a procesami neuroplastycznymi i neurodegeneracyjnymi zasadniczo opierają się na badaniach przekrojowych, w których porównuje się np. wielkość istoty szarej u medytujących długi okres czasu w stosunku do osób niemedytujących z populacji ogólnej [5][6][7][8][9]. Jednak ostatnio opublikowano ciekawe badania podłużne (tzw. ...
Aging is, on the one hand, a natural developmental process, but on the other hand, the effect of a genotype can vary from one individual to another living in the same environment. The results of the latest epigenetic studies give rise to the claim that harmful genetic conditions can be corrected to a fairly significant extent. Meditation techniques, which have been repeatedly shown to have positive effectiveness (more than 4 000 serious studies and more than 100 meta-analyses have been published over 30 years), can play such a role, as evidenced by other studies. The main purpose of this chapter is to present the results of studies on the effectiveness of meditation practices (mindfulness, focused attention meditation and its subtype, i.e. yoga and mantra meditation i.a. transcendental meditation) on neurodegenerative processes. A review of theoretical literature and research results provides the basis for the claim that various meditation techniques can make a significant contribution to inhibiting neurodegenerative processes. This gives hope, on the one hand, for the treatment of incurable diseases, which have been treated only symptomatically so far, and, on the other hand, for the development of optimal training leading to the improvement of the overall functioning.
Keywords: aging, neurodegeneration, meditation, mindfulness
... Meditation has garnered considerable attention from neuroscientists in recent years, and studies have begun to reveal a link between meditation and diminished tissue decline over time, consistent with a decelerated ageing process (Kurth et al., 2017c;Laneri et al., 2016;Lazar et al., 2005;Luders et al., 2015Pagnoni & Cekic, 2007). One brain region that is often observed to be recruited during meditation is the cingulate cortex, especially the anterior section thereof (Chiesa, 2010;Fox et al., 2016;Gotink et al., 2016;Jindal et al., 2013;Zsadanyi et al., 2021). ...
... As meditation practices frequently focus on emotion regulation and awareness, one may hypothesize that effects of long-term meditation on age-related changes would be reflected in areas of the subgenual cingulate cortex. Indeed, two studies seem to suggest such an effect: The first revealed a cluster of reduced age-related decline of cingulate / subgenual gray matter tissue in long-term meditators compared to controls (Luders et al., 2015). The second observed higher gray matter volumes and increased glucose metabolism within the subgenual cingulate cortex in expert meditators compared to controls (Chetelat et al., 2017). ...
... Comparing meditators to controls, the age-related gray matter loss was less pronounced in some, but not all areas of the subgenual cingulate: we observed less steep regression slopes for all subregions except left 33, and this lower age-related volume loss in meditators was significant in three subregions (right 25, left s32, and right s32). These findings largely agree with the outcomes of the two aforementioned meditation studies (Chetelat et al., 2017;Luders et al., 2015). Chetelat et al. (2017), for example, reported a stronger metabolism as well as larger gray matter volumes in meditators in the subgenual cingulate cortex, when comparing six older expert meditators (age range: 61 -70 years; meditation experience: 10 -40 years) against 67 controls with a similar age range (Chetelat et al., 2017). ...
Accumulating evidence suggests that meditation practices have positive effects on brain ageing overall. The cingulate is known to be recruited during meditation, but research into possible effects of meditation on the ageing of the cingulate is currently missing. Thus, the present study was designed to help close this knowledge gap, with particular focus on the subgenual cingulate, a region involved in emotional regulation and autonomic and endocrine functions, making it potentially relevant for meditation. Here, we investigated differences in age-related gray matter loss between 50 long-term meditation practitioners (28 male, 22 female), aged between 24 and 77, and 50 age- and sex-matched controls. Areas of interest were four subregions of the subgenual cingulate gyrus (areas 25, 33, s24, and s32) defined as per the Julich-Brain atlas. Our study revealed a significant age-related decline in all subregions in both meditators and controls, but with significantly lower rates of annual tissue loss in meditators, specifically in left and right area s32 and right area 25. These regions have been shown to play a role in mood regulation, autonomic processing, and the integration of emotion and cognitive processes, which are all involved in and impacted by meditation. Overall, the results add further evidence to the emerging notion that meditation may slow the effects of ageing on the brain.
... The meta-analysis, however, largely depended on studies on young to middle-aged meditators and did not include studies on patients with cognitive impairment. Reports on brain changes in elderly meditators are sparse (Luders et al., 2015;Chételat et al., 2017) and longitudinal studies in this cohort are lacking. ...
Previous cross-sectional studies reported positive effects of meditation on the brain areas related to attention and executive function in the healthy elderly population. Effects of long-term regular meditation in persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease dementia (AD) have rarely been studied. In this study, we explored changes in cortical thickness and gray matter volume in meditation-naïve persons with MCI or mild AD after long-term meditation intervention. MCI or mild AD patients underwent detailed clinical and neuropsychological assessment and were assigned into meditation or non-meditation groups. High resolution T1-weighted magnetic resonance images (MRI) were acquired at baseline and after 6 months. Longitudinal symmetrized percentage changes (SPC) in cortical thickness and gray matter volume were estimated. Left caudal middle frontal, left rostral middle frontal, left superior parietal, right lateral orbitofrontal, and right superior frontal cortices showed changes in both cortical thickness and gray matter volume; the left paracentral cortex showed changes in cortical thickness; the left lateral occipital, left superior frontal, left banks of the superior temporal sulcus (bankssts), and left medial orbitofrontal cortices showed changes in gray matter volume. All these areas exhibited significantly higher SPC values in meditators as compared to non-meditators. Conversely, the left lateral occipital, and right posterior cingulate cortices showed significantly lower SPC values for cortical thickness in the meditators. In hippocampal subfields analysis, we observed significantly higher SPC in gray matter volume of the left CA1, molecular layer HP, and CA3 with a trend for increased gray matter volume in most other areas. No significant changes were found for the hippocampal subfields in the right hemisphere. Analysis of the subcortical structures revealed significantly increased volume in the right thalamus in the meditation group. The results of the study point out that long-term meditation practice in persons with MCI or mild AD leads to salutary changes in cortical thickness and gray matter volumes. Most of these changes were observed in the brain areas related to executive control and memory that are prominently at risk in neurodegenerative diseases.
... Potwierdzenie powyższych wniosków przynoszą wyniki innych badań, w których wykazano, że praktykowanie medytacji prowadzi do szeregu pozytywnych zmian neuroplastycznych oraz neuroimmunologicznych a w konsekwencji fizycznych i psychicznych [2]. Objawiają się one zmianami w grubości istoty szarej w niektórych obszarach mózgu, takich jak, brzuszno-środkowy przedczołowy i przedni zakręt obręczy, wyspa, skrzyżowanie skroniowo-ciemieniowe oraz tylny zakręt obręczy/przedklinek [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34], które są szczególnie narażone na procesy neurodegeneracyjne (demencja i choroba Alzheimera) [34]. W obszarze endokrynnym pozytywne zmiany wyrażają się m.in. ...
A certain genes expression level, phenotype modify, may positively affect both health and its complications. Gene expression is controlled by epigenetic modification, influenced by intracellular and environmental factors, e.g. nutrition model and physical activity. This chapter aims to present the results of studies on the impact of practicing various meditation techniques (mindfulness, Zen, QiGong, breath control) on epigenetic dynamics. The present review shows that meditation practicing can lead to decreases in histone acetylase expression and changes in global modification of histones, decrease of DNA methylation (associated with immune cell metabolism, immune response, and inflammation, among other functions), and reducing shortening of telomere length (short telomers has been demonstrated to be a risk marker in several disease conditions which are primarily associated with an age-related onset). This gives hope, on the one hand, for the possibility of treating incurable diseases that have so far been treated only symptomatically, and on the other hand, for developing optimal meditation-based interventions leading to improve
human functioning.
Keywords: epigenetics, meditation, mindfulness
