title: Neural correlates of healing prayers, depression and traumatic memories: A preliminary study.
abstract: Depression is a global health concern and when rooted in childhood adversity is particularly difficult to treat. In a previous study, we found that healing prayer was effective in reducing depressive symptoms. Subjects suffering with depression according to HAM-D scores underwent task-based brain functional MRI (fMRI) prior to and after a 6-week prayer intervention, and depression symptoms were assessed at both time points and at a 12-month follow-up. Average HAM-D scores decreased from 21.6±3.0 prior to the intervention to 4.0±2.7 immediately afterwards (14 subjects) and remained low (3.7±3.4) at 12-month follow-up (11 subjects). fMRI demonstrated increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex during focus on the traumatic memory after the prayer intervention. Changes in activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus correlated with improvement in depressive symptoms. Activity in the precuneus region decreased after the prayer intervention when subjects focused on the negative feelings associated with the trauma. We conclude that increased activity in the prefrontal cortex after healing prayer may be associated with increased cognitive control over emotions. Healing prayer may help to dissociate the memory of the trauma from feelings associated with it, as evidenced by changes in the precuneus region.
authors: Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, United States; Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors: Philip R
authors: PR
authors: Baldwin
authors: Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, United States; Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
authors: Kenia
authors: K
authors: Velasquez
authors: Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Box 3400, Duke University Medical Center, Busse Building, Rm 0505, Durham, NC 27710, United States; King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Harold G
authors: HG
authors: Koenig
authors: Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 77030, United States; Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe, Houston, TX 77030, United States. Electronic address: rsalas@bcm.edu.
authors: Ramiro
authors: R
authors: Salas
authors: University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39216, United States. Electronic address: Boelens3554@gmail.com.
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Boelens
mesh_terms: D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D029221:Faith Healing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017397:Prefrontal Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D012067:Religion; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Childhood trauma; Forgiveness; Major depressive disorder; Prayer; Precuneus; Prefrontal cortex