Journal article
The embodied mind: A review on functional genomic and neurological correlates of mind-body therapies
Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, Vol.73, pp.165-181
02/2017
DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.027
PMID: 28017838
Abstract
•Functional genomic and neurological correlates of mind-body practices are reviewed.•EEG and Neuroimaging correlates of mind-body therapies and meditation are reviewed.•Mechanisms of action by which mind-body practices influence health outcomes are discussed
A broad range of mind-body therapies (MBTs) are used by the public today, and a growing body of clinical and basic sciences research has resulted in evidence-based integration of many MBTs into clinical practice. Basic sciences research has identified some of the physiological correlates of MBT practices, leading to a better understanding of the processes by which emotional, cognitive and psychosocial factors can influence health outcomes and well-being. In particular, results from functional genomics and neuroimaging describe some of the processes involved in the mind-body connection and how these can influence health outcomes. Functional genomic and neurophysiological correlates of MBTs are reviewed, detailing studies showing changes in sympathetic nervous system activation of gene transcription factors involved in immune function and inflammation, electroencephalographic and neuroimaging studies on MBT practices, and persistent changes in neural function and morphology associated with these practices. While the broad diversity of study designs and MBTs studied presents a patchwork of results requiring further validation through replication and longitudinal studies, clear themes emerge for MBTs as immunomodulatory, with effects on leukocyte transcription and function related to inflammatory and innate immune responses, and neuromodulatory, with effects on brain function and morphology relevant for attention, learning, and emotion regulation. By detailing the potential mechanisms of action by which MBTs may influence health outcomes, the data generated by these studies have contributed significantly towards a better understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying MBTs.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The embodied mind: A review on functional genomic and neurological correlates of mind-body therapies
- Creators
- David Muehsam - National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, ItalySusan Lutgendorf - Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Urology, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAPaul J Mills - Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USABadri Rickhi - Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, CanadaGaétan Chevalier - Earthing Institute, Psy-Tek Laboratory, Encinitas, CA, USANamuun Bat - Consciousness and Healing Initiative, La Jolla, CA, USADeepak Chopra - Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USABlake Gurfein - Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California San Francisco, CA, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, Vol.73, pp.165-181
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.027
- PMID
- 28017838
- NLM abbreviation
- Neurosci Biobehav Rev
- ISSN
- 0149-7634
- eISSN
- 1873-7528
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/2017
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Urology
- Record Identifier
- 9984002581502771
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