Impact of meditation training on the default mode network during a restful state
Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience March 24, 2012 Véronique A. Taylor, Véronique Daneault, Joshua A. Grant et al. 317 citations
Experienced meditators with over 1000 hours of training show weaker functional connectivity between default mode network (DMN) regions involved in self-referential processing and emotional appraisal compared to beginners with no prior experience. They also show increased connectivity between certain DMN regions, such as the dorso-medial prefrontal cortex and right inferior parietal lobule. These resting-state functional connectivity changes suggest that extensive meditation training may strengthen present-moment awareness by altering how core DMN regions communicate, even when not actively meditating.