Abstract
On average, the human hippocampus shows structural differences between meditators and non-meditators as well as between men and women. However, there is a lack of research exploring possible sex effects on hippocampal anatomy in the framework of meditation. Thus, we obtained high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging data from 30 long-term meditation practitioners (15 men/15 women) and 30 well-matched control subjects (15 men/15 women) to assess if hippocampus-specific effects manifest differently in male and female brains. Hippocampal dimensions were enlarged both in male and in female meditators when compared to sex- and age-matched controls. However, meditation effects differed between men and women in magnitude, laterality, and location on the hippocampal surface. Such sex-divergent findings may be due to genetic (innate) or acquired differences between male and female brains in the areas involved in meditation and/or suggest that male and female hippocampi are differently receptive to mindfulness practices.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 00186 |
Journal | Frontiers in Psychology |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | MAR |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Brain
- Gender
- Hippocampus
- MRI
- Meditating
- Mindfulness
- Sex