Fluid intelligence and brain functional organization in aging yoga and meditation practitioners.

Tim Gard,David H Salat,Sara W Lazar,Narayan Brach,Bradford C Dickerson,Maxime Taquet,Rohan Dixit,Jeremy R Gray,Britta K Hã¶Lzel,Yves-Alexandre De Montjoye

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2014.00076

Abstract

Numerous studies have documented the normal age-related decline of neural structure, function, and cognitive performance. Preliminary evidence suggests that meditation may reduce decline in specific cognitive domains and in brain structure. Here we extended this research by investigating the relation between age and fluid intelligence and resting state brain functional network architecture using graph theory, in middle-aged yoga and meditation practitioners, and matched controls. Fluid intelligence declined slower in yoga practitioners and meditators combined than in controls. Resting state functional networks of yoga practitioners and meditators combined were more integrated and more resilient to damage than those of controls. Furthermore, mindfulness was positively correlated with fluid intelligence, resilience, and global network efficiency. These findings reveal the possibility to increase resilience and to slow the decline of fluid intelligence and brain functional architecture and suggest that mindfulness plays a mechanistic role in this preservation.

Highlights

Neural structure, function, and cognitive performance naturally decline as individuals age (Morrison and Hof, 1997; Salat et al, 2004; Persson et al, 2006; De Chastelaine et al, 2011)
Coefficient A was significantly lower for yoga practitioners and meditators considered as a single group than for controls
The intercept B = log(Ff) indicates the final plateau value that is reached at advanced ages. It is another characteristic of the decline profile and we can expect it to be larger for yoga practitioners and meditators

Summary

Introduction

Function, and cognitive performance naturally decline as individuals age (Morrison and Hof, 1997; Salat et al, 2004; Persson et al, 2006; De Chastelaine et al, 2011). Research suggests that a variety of cognitive training programs (Nyberg et al, 2003; Willis et al, 2006; Belleville et al, 2011; Anguera et al, 2013) and aerobic exercise (Colcombe et al, 2004; Holzschneider et al, 2012) can improve cognitive performance and associated brain function in older adults. Generalizability of working memory training is not unequivocal (Melby-Lervag and Hulme, 2013) and so far training-induced improvements in fluid intelligence and associated brain function have been demonstrated only in young people Their effects on older individuals remain to be investigated

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Discussion

Conclusion