Microstate Dynamics of Focused Attention Meditation
Chuong Ngo, Erkin Bek, Monika Stasytyte, Lionel Newman, Rodrigo Elizalde, Amit Kanthi, Nk Manjunath, Christoph M. Michel
bioRxiv Preprint Server January 19, 2026 preprint DOI: 10.64898/2026.01.19.700274 via bioRxiv
Summary
Focused-attention meditation on the breath reorganizes large-scale brain dynamics by reducing activity in neural networks linked to self-referential and memory-based processing while increasing activity in networks supporting attentional stability and internal monitoring. In 22 experienced practitioners, high-density EEG microstate analysis identified five canonical brain states. Meditation robustly reduced Microstate C, generated in medial and lateral temporal regions including the hippocampus, and increased Microstates D and E, generated in posterior midline regions and frontoparietal networks respectively. These changes suggest that focused-attention meditation downregulates self-referential processing and enhances neural states for attention and internal awareness.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Within-subjects experimental study |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 22 |
| Population | Experienced meditation practitioners |
| Key finding | Focused-attention meditation robustly reduced Microstate C and increased Microstates D and E, indicating a reorganization of large-scale brain dynamics away from self-referential and memory-based processing toward attentional stability and internal monitoring. |
Abstract
Focused-attention meditation provides a tractable model for examining how large-scale brain dynamics support attention and self-regulation. Using high-density EEG microstate analysis, we investigated how focused-attention meditation on the breath (Ānāpānasati) modulates intrinsic brain activity in 22 experienced practitioners, compared with baseline rest and deliberate mental imagery. Five canonical microstate classes (A-E) were identified. Meditation produced a robust reduction of Microstate C across coverage, duration, and occurrence, accompanied by increased presence of Microstates D and E (all Microstate x Condition interactions p < 0.0001). Source localization revealed that Microstate C was generated primarily in medial and lateral temporal regions including the hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex, whereas Microstate D involved posterior midline regions including the posterior cingulate cortex and precuneus, and Microstate E engaged frontoparietal and orbitolimbic networks. Together, these results indicate that focused-attention meditation reorganizes the temporal architecture of large-scale brain dynamics by downregulating microstate patterns associated with self-referential and memory-based processing while enhancing neural states supporting attentional stability and internal monitoring.