Distinct and shared therapeutic neural mechanisms of mindfulness-based and social support stress reduction groups in adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Journal of psychiatry & neuroscience : JPN January 1, 2023 Broc A Pagni, Ethan Hill, Melissa J M Walsh et al. 20 citations
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and social support/education (SE) both reduced depression, anxiety, and autistic traits in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). MBSR uniquely improved executive functioning and increased mindfulness traits, including the trait nonjudgment. Decreased connectivity between the insula and thalamus was associated with anxiety reduction and increased mindfulness traits specifically in the MBSR group; decreased connectivity between the prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate correlated with improved working memory. Both groups showed decreased amygdala-sensorimotor and medial-lateral prefrontal cortex connectivity, which corresponded with reduced depression. The findings suggest shared and distinct neural mechanisms for MBSR and SE, implicating the default mode and salience networks.