title: Studying the default mode and its mindfulness-induced changes using EEG functional connectivity.
abstract: The default mode network (DMN) has been largely studied by imaging, but not yet by neurodynamics, using electroencephalography (EEG) functional connectivity (FC). mindfulness meditation (MM), a receptive, non-elaborative training is theorized to lower DMN activity. We explored: (i) the usefulness of EEG-FC for investigating the DMN and (ii) the MM-induced EEG-FC effects. To this end, three MM groups were compared with controls, employing EEG-FC (-MPC, mean phase coherence). Our results show that: (i) DMN activity was identified as reduced overall inter-hemispheric gamma MPC during the transition from resting state to a time production task and (ii) MM-induced a state increase in alpha MPC as well as a trait decrease in EEG-FC. The MM-induced EEG-FC decrease was irrespective of expertise or band. Specifically, there was a relative reduction in right theta MPC, and left alpha and gamma MPC. The left gamma MPC was negatively correlated with MM expertise, possibly related to lower internal verbalization. The trait lower gamma MPC supports the notion of MM-induced reduction in DMN activity, related with self-reference and mind-wandering. This report emphasizes the possibility of studying the DMN using EEG-FC as well as the importance of studying meditation in relation to it.
authors.affiliation: The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Department of Criminology, and Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900 Israel. The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Department of Criminology, and Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900 Israel. Aviva.berkovich-ohana@weizmann.ac.il.
authors.forename: Aviva
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berkovich-Ohana
authors.affiliation: The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Department of Criminology, and Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900 Israel. The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Department of Criminology, and Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900 Israel.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Glicksohn
authors.affiliation: The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Department of Criminology, and Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900 Israel. The Leslie and Susan Gonda (Goldschmied) Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Department of Criminology, and Department of Psychology, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900 Israel.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D064866:Mindfulness; D008959:Models, Neurological
keywords: default mode network; electroencephalography; functional connectivity; mean phase coherence; mindfulness meditation