Long-term meditation is associated with increased gray matter density in the brain stem

被引:149
作者
Vestergaard-Poulsen, Peter [1 ]
van Beek, Martijn [3 ]
Skewes, Joshua [1 ,3 ]
Bjarkam, Carsten R. [2 ]
Stubberup, Michael
Bertelsen, Jes
Roepstorff, Andreas [1 ,3 ]
机构
[1] Aarhus Univ, Ctr Functionally Integrat Neurosci, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
[2] Aarhus Univ, Inst Anat, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
[3] Aarhus Univ, Inst Anthropol Archaeol & Linguist, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
基金
新加坡国家研究基金会;
关键词
brainstem; meditation; neuroplasticity; voxel-based morphometry; TRANSCENDENTAL-MEDITATION; ATTENTION; SELF; PLASTICITY; AGE;
D O I
10.1097/WNR.0b013e328320012a
中图分类号
Q189 [神经科学];
学科分类号
071006 ;
摘要
Extensive practice involving sustained attention can lead to changes in brain structure. Here, we report evidence of structural differences in the lower brainstem of participants engaged in the long-term practice of meditation. Using magnetic resonance imaging, we observed higher gray matter density in lower brain stem regions of experienced meditators compared with age-matched nonmeditators. Our findings show that long-term practitioners of meditation have structural differences in brainstem regions concerned with cardiorespiratory control. This could account for some of the cardiorespiratory parasympathetic effects and traits, as well as the cognitive, emotional, and immunoreactive impact reported in several studies of different meditation practices. NeuroReport 20:170-174 (C) 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
引用
收藏
页码:170 / 174
页数:5
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