Increased gray matter volume in the right angular and posterior parahippocampal gyri in loving-kindness meditators
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience July 18, 2012 Mei-Kei Leung, Chetwyn C. H. Chan, Jing Yin et al. 145 citations
Long-term practice of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) is linked to greater gray matter volume in specific brain regions involved in emotional regulation and empathy. Using magnetic resonance imaging, experts who had practiced LKM for at least five years showed more gray matter in the right angular gyrus and posterior parahippocampal gyrus compared to novices. The right angular gyrus finding is novel for meditation research and may relate to cognitive empathy. Greater gray matter also appeared in the left temporal lobe, consistent with studies of other meditation styles. These results suggest that LKM may influence brain structures underlying affective regulation, empathic response, anxiety, and mood.