The Neural Mechanisms of Meditative Practices: Novel Approaches for Healthy Aging

AbstractObjectivesMeditation has been shown to have physical, cognitive, and psychological health benefits that can be used to promote healthy aging. However, the common and specific mechanisms of response remain elusive due to the diverse nature of mind –body practices.MethodsIn this review, we aim to compare the neural circuits implicated in focused-attention meditative practices that focus on present-moment awareness to those involved in active-type meditative practices (e.g., yoga) that combine movement, including chanting, with breath practices and meditation.Recent FindingsRecent meta-analyses and individual studies demonstrated common brain effects for attention-based meditative practices and active-based meditations in areas involved in reward processing and learning, attention and memory, awareness and sensory integration, and self-referential processing and emotional control, while deactivation was seen in the amygdala, an area implicated in emotion processing. Unique effects formindfulness practices were found in brain regions involved in body awareness, attention, and the integration of emotion and sensory processing. Effects specific toactive-based meditations appeared in brain areas involved in self-control, social cognition, language, speech, tactile stimulation, sensorimotor integration, and motor function.SummaryThis review suggests that mind –body practices can target different brain systems that are involved in the regulation of attention, emotional con...

Source: Current Behavioral Neuroscience Reports - October 17, 2016 Category: Neuroscience Source Type: research