Attention and Default Mode Network Assessments of Meditation Experience during Active Cognition and Rest

Abstract

Meditation experience has previously been shown to improve performance on behavioral assessments of attention, but the neural bases of this improvement are unknown. Two prominent, strongly competing networks exist in the human cortex: a dorsal attention network, that is activated during focused attention, and a default mode network, that is suppressed during attentionally demanding tasks. Prior studies suggest that strong anti-correlations between these networks indicate good brain health. In addition, a third network, a ventral attention network, serves as a “circuit-breaker” that transiently disrupts and redirects focused attention to permit salient stimuli to capture attention. Here, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to contrast cortical network activation between experienced focused attention Vipassana meditators and matched controls. Participants performed two attention tasks during scanning: a sustained attention task and an attention-capture task. Meditators demonstrated increased magnitude of differential activation in the dorsal attention vs. default mode network in a sustained attention task, relative to controls. In contrast, there were no evident attention network differences between meditators and controls in an attentional reorienting paradigm. A resting state functional connectivity analysis revealed a greater magnitude of anticorrelation between dorsal attention and default mode networks in the meditators as compared to both our local control group and a n = 168 Human Connectome Project dataset. These results demonstrate, with both task- and rest-based fMRI data, increased stability in sustained attention processes without an associated attentional capture cost in meditators. Task and resting-state results, which revealed stronger anticorrelations between dorsal attention and default mode networks in experienced mediators than in controls, are consistent with a brain health benefit of long-term meditation practice.

Default Mode and Dorsal Attention Network functional connectivity associated with alpha and beta peak frequency in individuals

“…A study on meditators found the dynamic interplay between DMN and frontoparietal regions in the alpha band as the meditators transitioned from resting state to one of two different meditations (Marzetti et al, 2014). Meditators have higher anticorrelated DMN-DAN connectivity as compared to healthy controls (Devaney et al, 2021) suggesting meditation as an intervention for maintaining cognitive health.…”

“…DMN and DAN have been found to be anticorrelated (Fox et al, 2005) wherein cognitively demanding tasks activate the DAN and suppress the DMN (Greicius and Menon, 2004). Studies have found DMN connectivity with other networks to be a biomarker of cognitive health (Falahpour et al, 2016; Kim et al, 2017; Mowinckel et al, 2017; Soares et al, 2017) and expert meditators have a higher DMN-DAN anticorrelation as compared to healthy controls (Devaney et al, 2021).…”

Electroencephalographic dynamics of rhythmic breath-based meditation

“…Alpha power is a characteristic frequency of the brain with relations with the Default Mode Network of the brain 41 . Reduction in the peak alpha amplitudes could also signify decrease in the Default Mode activity of the brain as studies have found reduced mind wandering during meditation 35 and meditators have shown better anticorrelation with the Dorsal Attention Network which suggests better cognitive health 42 .…”

“…Alpha power is a characteristic frequency of the brain with relations with the Default Mode Network of the brain 41 . Reduction in the peak alpha amplitudes could also signify decrease in the Default Mode activity of the brain as studies have found reduced mind wandering during meditation 35 and meditators have shown better anticorrelation with the Dorsal Attention Network which suggests better cognitive health 42 . Human theta rhythm characterized by 4-7 Hz oscillations have been linked with various tasks like recognition 43 , spatial navigation [44][45][46] , working memory 43 , episodic memory retrieval 47 and other complex cognitive tasks 48,49 .…”

Alterations in Functional Connectivity Measured by Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Relationship With Heart Rate Variability in Subjects After Performing Orgasmic Meditation: An Exploratory Study

“…In the Tantric tradition that is part of Hinduism, sexual energy and the excitement generated in the sacral chakra in the pelvic region, is used to raise “spiritual energy.” The practices of yoga meditation, and some type of Buddhism, also integrate aspects of sensuality and meditation. A number of prior studies have examined the effects of acute meditation practices on brain physiology and functional connectivity ( Fox et al, 2016 ; Hernández et al, 2018 ; Devaney et al, 2021 ). Some of these have been activation studies evaluating brain function during the meditation practice or a task affected by the practice.…”