Meditation for Improved Brain Blood Flow During Sleep

Overseen By Maria Garza, MS

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Must not be taking: Benzodiazepines, Antipsychotics, Opioids, others

Disqualifiers: Neurological, Psychological, Implants, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This involves development and application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods for visualizing hemodynamic and metabolic relationships in healthy volunteers with advanced meditation experience.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking benzodiazepines, cholinesterase inhibitors, anti-psychotics, opioids, or MAO inhibitors, you cannot participate in the trial. The protocol does not specify about other medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness Meditation, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), MRI Methods for Visualizing Hemodynamic and Metabolic Relationships, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI, Functional MRI, fMRI for improving brain blood flow during sleep?

Research shows that meditation can increase blood flow in the brain, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been found to improve sleep quality and reduce stress in cancer patients. These findings suggest that meditation and mindfulness practices may enhance brain blood flow and improve sleep. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is meditation safe for improving brain blood flow during sleep?

Meditation, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), has been studied for its effects on stress, sleep, and brain activity, showing benefits without significant safety concerns. These studies suggest that meditation is generally safe for humans, even though specific safety data for improving brain blood flow during sleep is limited. ^{2 3 5 6 7}

How does meditation as a treatment improve brain blood flow during sleep compared to other treatments?

Meditation is unique in improving brain blood flow during sleep by engaging cognitive activities that increase blood flow in specific brain regions, unlike other treatments that may not directly target these areas. It offers a non-invasive approach that can enhance neurovascular health through mechanisms like increased cerebral blood flow and improved functional connectivity. ^{2 4 5 8 9}

Research Team

Daniel Claassen

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for people aged 14-45 who are skilled in meditation. They must be able to undergo MRI scans, meaning no metal implants or issues with confined spaces. Participants should not have recent infections, tattoos, wounds, or consume stimulants/alcohol before the visit. Those with major neurological/psychological conditions or on certain medications like opioids and MAO inhibitors cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

I am between 14 and 45 years old.

"Experienced meditator"

Exclusion Criteria

You have a medical device that is not safe for MRI, or you cannot have an MRI for medical reasons.

I haven't consumed stimulants or alcohol in the last 12 hours.

I am currently taking medications like sedatives, painkillers, or drugs for mental health.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Awake State Assessment

Participants undergo MRI scanning during awake state to assess glymphatic functioning

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Sleep Deprived State Assessment

Participants undergo MRI scanning during sleep deprived state to assess glymphatic functioning

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Meditative State Assessment

Participants undergo MRI scanning during meditative state to assess glymphatic functioning

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in EEG and CSF flow after interventions

24 hours

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Meditation
• MRI Methods for Visualizing Hemodynamic and Metabolic Relationships

Trial Overview The study is testing how different states like sleep and meditation affect brain functioning related to fluid movement and metabolism in healthy volunteers using advanced MRI techniques.

Participant Groups

Group I: Adept Meditators Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Subjects will undergo scanning during awake, sleep deprived, and meditative states of consciousness.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

922

Recruited

939,000+

Findings from Research

A 7-week focused attention meditation program with 27 healthy volunteers led to significant changes in brain energy metabolism, indicating that even short-term meditation can enhance brain function.

Participants showed reduced anxiety levels and specific metabolic changes in brain regions, such as increased energy states in the basal ganglia, suggesting that meditation may improve cognitive processes and emotional regulation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-term meditation training influences brain energy metabolism: A pilot study on 31 P MR spectroscopy. Gizewski, ER., Steiger, R., Waibel, M., et al.[2021]

During meditation, experienced Tibetan Buddhist meditators showed significantly increased regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in key brain areas such as the cingulate gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, indicating heightened brain activity associated with focused concentration.

The study found a negative correlation between rCBF changes in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the left superior parietal lobe, suggesting that meditation may alter the sense of space, reflecting the complex cognitive processes involved in this practice.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The measurement of regional cerebral blood flow during the complex cognitive task of meditation: a preliminary SPECT study. Newberg, A., Alavi, A., Baime, M., et al.[2022]

An 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program significantly improved sleep quality in 63 cancer patients, with overall sleep disturbance reduced (p < .001).

Participants also experienced significant reductions in stress, mood disturbance, and fatigue, suggesting that MBSR can enhance the overall quality of life for cancer patients.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on sleep, mood, stress and fatigue symptoms in cancer outpatients. Carlson, LE., Garland, SN.[2018]

The study reviewed 21 fMRI and 7 MRI studies to investigate the effects of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) on brain function and structure, finding significant changes in areas like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus associated with stress reduction.

MBSR was linked to decreased activity in the amygdala and improved connectivity with the prefrontal cortex, suggesting that these brain changes contribute to better emotion regulation and overall mental health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction induces brain changes similar to traditional long-term meditation practice - A systematic review. Gotink, RA., Meijboom, R., Vernooij, MW., et al.[2023]

Meditation is associated with measurable changes in brain activity, including increased theta and alpha waves, which relate to the practitioner's skill level, indicating its potential for enhancing cognitive functions.

Neuroimaging studies show that meditation increases blood flow in specific brain regions, particularly the anterior cingulate cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal areas, suggesting its effectiveness in improving attention and emotional regulation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. Cahn, BR., Polich, J.[2023]

A shortened mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR-ld) program over 6 weeks significantly reduced perceived stress and increased mindfulness in healthy working adults, with 22 participants showing notable improvements (p = .0025 and p = .0149, respectively).

The MBSR-ld group also experienced significant improvements in sleep quality (p = .0018), while the wait-list control group showed some improvement as well (p = .0072), indicating that even a brief intervention can have positive effects on stress and well-being.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of low-dose mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR-ld) on working adults. Klatt, MD., Buckworth, J., Malarkey, WB.[2023]

An abbreviated Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program consisting of 6 weekly 75-minute sessions can effectively be implemented during staff lunch breaks, making it a practical training option for healthcare providers and clinic staff.

This adapted MBSR program is not only feasible but also well-accepted, suggesting it could enhance the well-being of healthcare workers in a workplace setting.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Staff: Expanding Holistic Nursing Paradigms to the Whole System. Hazlett-Stevens, H.[2021]

Mindfulness meditation can quickly improve brain function and structure, particularly in older adults, and may have neurovascular benefits that are important for healthy aging.

Three proposed mechanisms for these benefits include increased resting-state cerebral blood flow, enhanced functional connectivity in the brain's default mode network, and a top-down control mechanism that combines both direct and indirect neurovascular effects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Three potential neurovascular pathways driving the benefits of mindfulness meditation for older adults. Pommy, J., Smart, CM., Bryant, AM., et al.[2023]

This study found that verbal meditation practiced by Franciscan nuns led to increased cerebral blood flow in key brain areas, including the prefrontal cortex and inferior frontal lobes, indicating active cognitive engagement during meditation.

The research highlights the feasibility of using neuroimaging to study different meditation techniques, suggesting that various cognitive processes are coordinated during meditation, although the study was limited to only three subjects.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cerebral blood flow during meditative prayer: preliminary findings and methodological issues. Newberg, A., Pourdehnad, M., Alavi, A., et al.[2015]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Short-term meditation training influences brain energy metabolism: A pilot study on 31 P MR spectroscopy. [2021]

2. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The measurement of regional cerebral blood flow during the complex cognitive task of meditation: a preliminary SPECT study. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) on sleep, mood, stress and fatigue symptoms in cancer outpatients. [2018]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction induces brain changes similar to traditional long-term meditation practice - A systematic review. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Meditation states and traits: EEG, ERP, and neuroimaging studies. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of low-dose mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR-ld) on working adults. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Staff: Expanding Holistic Nursing Paradigms to the Whole System. [2021]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Three potential neurovascular pathways driving the benefits of mindfulness meditation for older adults. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cerebral blood flow during meditative prayer: preliminary findings and methodological issues. [2015]