Department of Psychology, Texas Tech Neuroimaging Institute, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2012 Jun 26;109(26):10570-4. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1207817109. Epub 2012 Jun 11.
Using diffusion tensor imaging, several recent studies have shown that training results in changes in white matter efficiency as measured by fractional anisotropy (FA). In our work, we found that a form of mindfulness meditation, integrative body-mind training (IBMT), improved FA in areas surrounding the anterior cingulate cortex after 4-wk training more than controls given relaxation training. Reductions in radial diffusivity (RD) have been interpreted as improved myelin but reductions in axial diffusivity (AD) involve other mechanisms, such as axonal density. We now report that after 4-wk training with IBMT, both RD and AD decrease accompanied by increased FA, indicating improved efficiency of white matter involves increased myelin as well as other axonal changes. However, 2-wk IBMT reduced AD, but not RD or FA, and improved moods. Our results demonstrate the time-course of white matter neuroplasticity in short-term meditation. This dynamic pattern of white matter change involving the anterior cingulate cortex, a part of the brain network related to self-regulation, could provide a means for intervention to improve or prevent mental disorders.
利用弥散张量成像技术，最近的几项研究表明，训练会导致白质效率发生变化，这可以通过分数各向异性（FA）来衡量。在我们的工作中，我们发现一种正念冥想形式，身心整合训练（IBMT），在 4 周的训练后，比接受放松训练的对照组更能改善前扣带皮层周围区域的 FA。径向扩散系数（RD）的降低被解释为髓鞘的改善，但轴向扩散系数（AD）的降低涉及其他机制，如轴突密度。我们现在报告说，经过 4 周的 IBMT 训练，RD 和 AD 都降低了，同时 FA 增加了，这表明白质效率的提高不仅涉及髓鞘的增加，还涉及其他轴突的变化。然而，2 周的 IBMT 降低了 AD，但 RD 和 FA 没有变化，同时改善了情绪。我们的结果表明了短期冥想中白质神经可塑性的时间进程。这种涉及前扣带皮层的白质变化的动态模式，前扣带皮层是与自我调节相关的大脑网络的一部分，可能为改善或预防精神障碍提供了一种干预手段。
