A self-referential default brain state: patterns of coherence, power, and eLORETA sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation practice

Abstract

Activation of a default mode network (DMN) including frontal and parietal midline structures varies with cognitive load, being more active during low-load tasks and less active during high-load tasks requiring executive control. Meditation practices entail various degrees of cognitive control. Thus, DMN activation patterns could give insight into the nature of meditation practices. This 10-week random assignment study compared theta2, alpha1, alpha2, beta1, beta2 and gamma EEG coherence, power, and eLORETA cortical sources during eyes-closed rest and Transcendental Meditation (TM) practice in 38 male and female college students, average age 23.7 years. Significant brainwave differences were seen between groups. Compared to eyes-closed rest, TM practice led to higher alpha1 frontal log-power, and lower beta1 and gamma frontal and parietal log-power; higher frontal and parietal alpha1 interhemispheric coherence and higher frontal and frontal-central beta2 intrahemispheric coherence. eLORETA analysis identified sources of alpha1 activity in midline cortical regions that overlapped with the DMN. Greater activation in areas that overlap the DMN during TM practice suggests that meditation practice may lead to a foundational or 'ground' state of cerebral functioning that may underlie eyes-closed rest and more focused cognitive processes.

Zazen meditation and no-task resting EEG compared with LORETA intracortical source localization

“…The practice in the study on concentration meditation (Lavallee et al, 2011) obviously would be classified as focused attention meditation, whereas our Zazen practice is an open monitoring meditation (Lutz et al 2008). The practice used in the studies on transcendental meditation (Travis et al 2010;Yamamoto et al 2006) would be classified as automatic self-transcending meditation in another classification scheme (Travis and Shear 2010a). Our present results were different from both concentration on breathing and from transcendental meditation.…”

“…There are only three studies that tested practicing meditation versus no-task resting and that used intracerebral EEG source analysis (Lavallee et al 2011;Travis et al 2010;Yamamoto et al 2006). The practice in the study on concentration meditation (Lavallee et al, 2011) obviously would be classified as focused attention meditation, whereas our Zazen practice is an open monitoring meditation (Lutz et al 2008).…”

“…During transcendental meditation, increased alpha frequency activity and decreased beta activity was observed (Travis et al 2010;Yamamoto et al 2006). …”

Study of effects of Sudarshan Kriya on Postmenopausal symptoms among central India women population : A preliminary study

“…According to various studies, those who practice it daily have varied beneficial effects on their body in different aspects, especially in relieving stress. [11][12][13][14][15] Research shows that SK increases beta and alpha activity in brain. Beta activity is known to improve alertness while increased alpha activity gives relaxation.…”

Electrophysiological evidence during episodic prospection implicates medial prefrontal and bilateral middle temporal gyrus

“…Research on functional connectivity is in its infancy and has been principally investigated using fMRI. Travis and colleagues recently uncovered evidence of frontal inter-hemispheric EEG coherence during meditation compared to rest, with sources overlapping the DMN (Travis et al, 2010). The work of Travis et al provided promising evidence for using EEG coherence as a measure of spontaneous cognition.…”