Mindfulness Training Changes Brain Dynamics During Depressive Rumination: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Cognitive neuroscience explores the mechanisms of cognition by studying its structural and functional brain correlates. Many studies have combined structural and functional neuroimaging techniques to uncover the complex relationship between them. In this study, we report the first systematic review that assesses how information from structural and functional neuroimaging methods can be integrated to investigate the brain substrates of cognition. Procedure: Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched for studies of healthy young adult populations that collected cognitive data and structural and functional neuroimaging data. Results: Five percent of screened studies met all inclusion criteria. Next, 50% of included studies related cognitive performance to brain structure and function without quantitative analysis of the relationship. Finally, 31% of studies formally integrated structural and functional brain data. Overall, many studies consider either structural or functional neural correlates of cognition, and of those that consider both, they have rarely been integrated. We identified four emergent approaches to the characterization of the relationship between brain structure, function, and cognition; comparative, predictive, fusion, and complementary. Discussion: We discuss the insights provided in each approach about the relationship between brain structure and function and how it impacts cognitive performance. In addition, we discuss how authors can select approaches to suit their research questions. Impact statement The relationship between structural and functional brain networks and their relationship to cognition is a matter of current investigations. This work surveys how researchers have studied the relationship between brain structure and function and its impact on cognitive function in healthy adult populations. We review four emergent approaches of quantitative analysis of this multivariate problem; comparative, predictive, fusion, and complementary. We explain the characteristics of each approach, discuss the insights provided in each approach, and how authors can combine approaches to suit their research questions.

AimThis study investigated the impact of an 8‐month daily‐guided intensive meditation‐based intervention (iMI) on persistent hallucinations/delusions and health‐related quality of life (QoL) in male inpatients with schizophrenia with treatment‐refractory hallucinations and delusions (TRHDs).MethodsA randomized controlled trial assigned 64 male inpatients with schizophrenia and TRHD equally to an 8‐month iMI plus general rehabilitation program (GRP) or GRP alone. Assessments were conducted at baseline and the third and eighth months using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), 36‐Item Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), and Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Primary outcomes measured PANSS reduction rates for total score, positive symptoms, and hallucinations/delusions items. Secondary outcomes assessed PANSS, SF‐36, and FFMQ scores for psychotic symptoms, health‐related QoL, and mindfulness skills, respectively.ResultsIn the primary outcome, iMI significantly improved the reduction rates of PANSS total score, positive symptoms, and hallucination/delusion items compared with GRP at both the third and eighth months. Treatment response rates (≥25% reduction) for these measures significantly increased in the iMI group at the eighth month. Concerning secondary outcomes, iMI significantly reduced PANSS total score and hallucination/delusion items, while increasing scores in physical activity and mindfulness skills at both the third and eighth months compared with GRP. These effects were more pronounced with an 8‐month intervention compared with a 3‐month intervention.ConclusionsAn iMI benefits patients with TRHDs by reducing persistent hallucinations/delusions and enhancing health‐related QoL. Longer iMI duration yields superior treatment outcomes.

Background Rumination of Major Depressive Disorder(MDD) affects the occurrence and development of the disease.Although the triple networks abnormalities have been implicated consistently in MDD and rumination neuropathology, the correlation between MDD with current depressive episode as well as resting-state triple network alterations have not been clearly studied. Methods The present study analyzed Regions of Interest(ROI)-toROI connectivity across the default-mode network (DMN), the salience network (SN) as well as the frontal-parietal network (FPN), namely the Triple Network, of MDD patients with the current depressive episode(n = 19, 26 ± 5. 44 years old, 12 females and 7males) and healthy controls (HCs;n = 19, 25 ± 4. 18 years old, 14 females and 5males). FC values and the Rumination Response scale(RRS) scores were investigated by correlation analysis. Results Comparing with HCs, hyperconnectivity in MDD was appeared between the DMN and the SN. Pearson correlation analysis showed significantly positive and moderate relation between FC values and scores of RRS and its sub-scales. Conclusions Rumination in current episode MDD patients is related with FC between DMN and SN, which connects two large-scale functions networks involved numerous functions such as self-reference,attention and else. This study may provide new insights into the neural mechanisms of MDD and rumination and reflect biomarkers of MDD with current depressive episode.