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Mindfulness Training Improves Cognition and Strengthens Intrinsic Connectivity Between the Hippocampus and Posteromedial Cortex in Healthy Older Adults
Sevinc G, Rusche J, Wong B, Datta T, Kaufman R, Gutz SE, Schneider M, Todorova N et al.. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 2021-08-27
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Maintaining optimal cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan is a public health priority. Evaluation of cognitive outcomes following interventions to promote and preserve brain structure and function in older adults, and associated neural mechanisms, are therefore of critical importance. In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the behavioral and neural outcomes following mindfulness training ( n = 72), compared to a cognitive fitness program ( n = 74) in healthy, cognitively normal, older adults (65-80 years old). To assess cognitive functioning, we used the Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (PACC), which combines measures of episodic memory, executive function, and global cognition. We hypothesized that mindfulness training would enhance cognition, increase intrinsic functional connectivity measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between the hippocampus and posteromedial cortex, as well as promote increased gray matter volume within those regions. Following the 8-week intervention, the mindfulness training group showed improved performance on the PACC, while the control group did not. Furthermore, following mindfulness training, greater improvement on the PACC was associated with a larger increase in intrinsic connectivity within the default mode network, particularly between the right hippocampus and posteromedial cortex and between the left hippocampus and lateral parietal cortex. The cognitive fitness training group did not show such effects. These findings demonstrate that mindfulness training improves cognitive performance in cognitively intact older individuals and strengthens connectivity within the default mode network, which is particularly vulnerable to aging affects. Clinical Trial Registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02628548], identifier [NCT02628548].
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Sevinc, G., Rusche, J., Wong, B., Datta, T., Kaufman, R., Gutz, S. E., et al. (2021). Mindfulness Training Improves Cognition and Strengthens Intrinsic Connectivity Between the Hippocampus and Posteromedial Cortex in Healthy Older Adults. Frontiers in aging neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2021.702796
Vancouver
Sevinc G, Rusche J, Wong B, Datta T, Kaufman R, Gutz SE, et al. Mindfulness Training Improves Cognition and Strengthens Intrinsic Connectivity Between the Hippocampus and Posteromedial Cortex in Healthy Older Adults. Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 2021. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.702796. PMID: 34512305.
BibTeX
@article{sevinc2021-34512305,
author = {Sevinc, G. and Rusche, J. and Wong, B. and Datta, T. and Kaufman, R. and Gutz, S. E. and Schneider, M. and Todorova, N. and others},
title = {{Mindfulness Training Improves Cognition and Strengthens Intrinsic Connectivity Between the Hippocampus and Posteromedial Cortex in Healthy Older Adults}},
journal = {Frontiers in aging neuroscience},
year = {2021},
doi = {10.3389/fnagi.2021.702796},
pmid = {34512305},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2021.702796}
}
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Key findings
- In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the behavioral and neural outcomes following mindfulness training ( n = 72), compared to a cognitive fitness program ( n = 74) in healthy, cognitively normal, older adults (65-80 years old).
- Furthermore, following mindfulness training, greater improvement on the PACC was associated with a larger increase in intrinsic connectivity within the default mode network, particularly between the right hippocampus and posteromedial cortex and between the left hippocampus and lateral parietal cortex.
- These findings demonstrate that mindfulness training improves cognitive performance in cognitively intact older individuals and strengthens connectivity within the default mode network, which is particularly vulnerable to aging affects.
Why it matters
In this trial, healthy older adults who received mindfulness training showed improved performance on a cognitive composite measure, and greater improvement was linked to increased connectivity between the hippocampus and posteromedial cortex. The participants were cognitively normal, so this is about possible prevention or preservation of cognition, not treatment of existing Alzheimer disease.
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Study details
- Study designrandomized controlled trial
- Participants72
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 66/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Frontiers in aging neuroscience) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience: journal h-index 174 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 3 / 5 | 2021 — within 6 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 1 / 4 | 72 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 4 / 7 | Cited 48 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 6.9 citations a year over 7 year(s) since 2021 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.2× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 34 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Sara W. Lazar: h-index 47 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | Harvard University: institution h-index 3,235 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 6 institution(s) in 2 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 34512305) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 66 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
- DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.702796
- PubMed: 34512305
- Original source →
- Free full text: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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