Previous studies suggest that the practice of long-term (months to years) mindfulness meditation induces structural plasticity in gray matter. However, it remains unknown whether short-term (<30 days) mindfulness meditation in novices could induce similar structural changes. Our previous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified white matter changes surrounding the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) within 2 to 4 weeks, following 5-10 h of mindfulness training. Furthermore, these changes were correlated with emotional states in healthy adults. The PCC is a key hub in the functional anatomy implicated in meditation and other perspectival processes. In this longitudinal study using a randomized design, we therefore examined the effect of a 10 h of mindfulness training, the Integrative Body-Mind Training (IBMT) on gray matter volume of the PCC compared to an active control—relaxation training (RT). We found that brief IBMT increased ventral PCC volume and that baseline temperamental trait—an index of individual differences was associated with a reduction in training-induced gray matter increases. Our findings indicate that brief mindfulness meditation induces gray matter plasticity, suggesting that structural changes in ventral PCC—a key hub associated with self-awareness, emotion, cognition, and aging—may have important implications for protecting against mood-related disorders and aging-related cognitive declines.

中文翻译：

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简短的正念冥想诱导大脑中枢的灰质变化

先前的研究表明，长期（数月至数年）正念冥想的练习会导致灰质的结构可塑性。然而，新手的短期（<30 天）正念冥想是否会引起类似的结构变化仍然未知。我们之前的随机对照试验 (RCT) 确定了在 5-10 小时的正念训练后 2 到 4 周内前扣带回皮层 (ACC) 和后扣带回皮层 (PCC) 周围的白质变化。此外，这些变化与健康成年人的情绪状态相关。PCC 是与冥想和其他透视过程有关的功能解剖学的关键枢纽。在这项使用随机设计的纵向研究中，我们因此检查了 10 小时正念训练的效果，与主动控制放松训练 (RT) 相比，PCC 灰质体积的综合身心训练 (IBMT)。我们发现短暂的 IBMT 增加了腹侧 PCC 体积和基线气质特征——个体差异指数与训练引起的灰质增加的减少有关。我们的研究结果表明，短暂的正念冥想会诱发灰质可塑性，这表明腹侧 PCC 的结构变化——与自我意识、情绪、认知和衰老相关的关键枢纽——可能对预防与情绪相关的疾病和衰老具有重要意义——相关的认知能力下降。我们发现短暂的 IBMT 增加了腹侧 PCC 体积和基线气质特征——个体差异指数与训练引起的灰质增加的减少有关。我们的研究结果表明，短暂的正念冥想会诱发灰质可塑性，这表明腹侧 PCC 的结构变化——与自我意识、情绪、认知和衰老相关的关键枢纽——可能对预防与情绪相关的疾病和衰老具有重要意义——相关的认知能力下降。我们发现短暂的 IBMT 增加了腹侧 PCC 体积和基线气质特征——个体差异指数与训练引起的灰质增加的减少有关。我们的研究结果表明，短暂的正念冥想会诱发灰质可塑性，这表明腹侧 PCC 的结构变化——与自我意识、情绪、认知和衰老相关的关键枢纽——可能对预防与情绪相关的疾病和衰老具有重要意义——相关的认知能力下降。