Mindfulness meditation styles differently modulate source-level MEG microstate dynamics and complexity

Antea D’Andrea; Croce, Pierpaolo; Jordan O’Byrne; Jerbi, Karim; Pascarella, Annalisa; Raffone, Antonino; Pizzella, Vittorio; Pizzella, Vittorio; Marzetti, Laura; Marzetti, Laura · 2024 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1295615

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Summary

This study investigates how two distinct styles of mindfulness meditation—Focused Attention Meditation (FAM) and Open Monitoring Meditation (OMM)—modulate source-level magnetoencephalography (MEG) microstate dynamics and brain complexity. While previous research has utilized EEG to identify transient brain states (microstates), this work addresses limitations in anatomical interpretation by employing MEG source reconstruction. The research aims to determine if meditation styles induce specific changes in the coverage, occurrence, and duration of microstates, as well as shifts in brain criticality indices, such as the Hurst exponent and Lempel-Ziv complexity (LZC). The experimental design involved ten right-handed Theravada Buddhist monks with extensive meditative expertise (minimum 2,375 hours, mean 14,765 hours). Participants underwent a randomized block design consisting of 6-minute sessions of FAM and OMM, each preceded and followed by 3-minute resting state (REST) periods. MEG data were acquired using a 165-channel system and preprocessed to remove artifacts. Source reconstruction was performed using eLORETA on individual cortical spaces, parcellated according to the Human Connectome Project atlas. Microstate analysis was applied to parcel-level signals to derive nine distinct microstate topographies. Criticality and complexity were assessed by computing the Hurst exponent (measuring long-range temporal correlations) and LZC (measuring the complexity of microstate transition sequences) for each condition. The results indicate that both the general meditative state and the specific meditation style significantly modulate microstate dynamics. Specifically, the coverage and occurrence of certain microstates varied depending on whether participants were resting, practicing FAM, or practicing OMM. Regarding brain criticality, the Hurst exponent values were reduced in both meditation conditions compared to the resting state, suggesting a shift in long-range temporal correlations. Furthermore, LZC values showed significant differences across conditions, exhibiting a progressive increase from REST to FAM to OMM. This pattern suggests that OMM is associated with higher complexity in the transitions between brain states compared to FAM and rest. These findings imply that mindfulness meditation styles exert distinct effects on the brain’s dynamic organization and criticality. The reduction in the Hurst exponent and the increase in LZC during meditation, particularly in OMM, support the hypothesis that meditation shifts brain dynamics closer to a critical point, balancing stability and flexibility. This state-like effect on cognitive performance aligns with theories suggesting that optimal cognitive functioning occurs near the edge of chaos. By demonstrating that different meditation styles differentially modulate source-level microstate complexity, the study provides neurophysiological evidence for the distinct neural mechanisms underlying FAM and OMM, contributing to a deeper understanding of how meditation practices influence brain dynamics.

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