Repetitive speech elicits widespread deactivation in the human cortex: the "Mantra" effect?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mantra (prolonged repetitive verbal utterance) is one of the most universal mental practices in human culture. However, the underlying neuronal mechanisms that may explain its powerful emotional and cognitive impact are unknown. In order to try to isolate the effect of silent repetitive speech, which is used in most commonly practiced Mantra meditative practices, on brain activity, we studied the neuronal correlates of simple repetitive speech in nonmeditators - that is, silent repetitive speech devoid of the wider context and spiritual orientations of commonly practiced meditation practices.

Methods

We compared, using blood oxygenated level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), a simple task of covertly repeating a single word to resting

SUBMITTER: Berkovich-Ohana A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4511287 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature