Differential increase of hippocampal subfield volume after socio-affective mental training relates to reductions in diurnal cortisol.

ABSTRACT: The hippocampus is a central modulator of the HPA-axis, impacting the regulation of stress on brain structure, function, and behavior. The current study assessed whether three different types of 3 months mental Training Modules geared towards nurturing (a) attention-based mindfulness, (b) socio-affective, or (c) socio-cognitive skills may impact hippocampal organization by reducing stress. We evaluated mental training-induced changes in hippocampal subfield volume and intrinsic functional connectivity, by combining longitudinal structural and resting-state fMRI connectivity analysis in 332 healthy adults. We related these changes to changes in diurnal and chronic cortisol levels. We observed increases in bilateral cornu ammonis volume (CA1-3) following the 3 months compassion-based module

SUBMITTER: Valk SL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11357357 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature