Neurotransmitter-related functional connectivity changes in serotonin and dopamine systems after mindfulness in medication overuse headache.
Davide Fedeli, Giuseppe Ciullo, Greta Demichelis, Jean Paul Medina Carrion, Maria Grazia Bruzzone, Emilio Ciusani, Alessandra Erbetta, Stefania Ferraro, Marina Grisoli, Erika Guastafierro, Danilo Antonio Montisano, Domenico D'Amico, Alberto Raggi, Anna Nigri, Licia Grazzi
Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/03331024251332561 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn people with chronic migraine and medication overuse headache, adding mindfulness practice to standard treatment was associated with increased functional connectivity in brain networks linked to serotonin and dopamine systems. After one year, those who practiced mindfulness showed greater serotonin-related connectivity in the caudate and accumbens nuclei, and greater dopamine-related connectivity in the right insular cortex, compared to those receiving standard treatment alone. These brain regions are involved in emotional, cognitive, and sensory processing of pain and addiction. The findings suggest that mindfulness may influence serotonin and dopamine systems, potentially contributing to its beneficial effects in chronic pain management.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational cohort Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | Patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse headache |
| Intervention | Mindfulness practice |
| Duration | One year |
| Topics | Meditation Neuroplasticity Serotonin |
| Keywords | Medication overuse headache Resting State FMRI Awareness practice Contemplation |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key finding | Adding mindfulness practice to standard treatment was associated with increased serotonin-enriched functional connectivity in the caudate and accumbens nuclei and increased dopamine-enriched functional connectivity in the right insular cortex after one year. |
Abstract
Background/HypothesisMindfulness practice has gained attention in managing chronic migraine with medication overuse headache (CM-MOH), showing clinical improvements and functional connectivity reorganization. However, the relationship between these effects and the underlying neurotransmitter systems remains unexplored.MethodsThirty-four CM-MOH patients were divided into treatment as usual (TaU, N = 17) and mindfulness-added-to-TaU (TaU + MIND, N = 17) groups. Participants underwent resting-state fMRI scans before treatment and after one year. We adopted the neurotransmitter-related functional connectivity framework to investigate longitudinal functional changes associated with the distribution of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine systems by comparing TaU + MIND with TaU groups.ResultsWhen compared with TaU, TaU + MIND patients longitudinally showed increased serotonin-enriched functional connectivity in the caudate and accumbens nuclei, and increased dopamine-enriched functional connectivity in the right insular cortex.Conclusion/InterpretationThese regions are involved in emotional, cognitive, and sensory modulation of pain and addiction. Our findings suggest the impact of mindfulness practice on serotonin and dopamine systems with potential beneficial effects in chronic pain management.