Neuroplasticity of directed connectivity in long-term meditation: Evidence from EEG Granger causality

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to characterize the effects of long-term meditation (LTM) on directed connectivity patterns during resting-state and meditative brain states. Specifically, it was aimed to identify major cortical sources of information flow and target regions of information influx, and to reveal which frequency-specific oscillatory networks are critically involved in directing information flux in experienced meditators. Multivariate Granger causality (GC) was computed from high-resolution EEG signals recorded from long-term (LTM, n = 22) and short-term meditators (STM, n = 17) in four conditions: rest, Focused Attention Meditation, Open Monitoring Meditation, and Loving Kindness Meditation. GC was analyzed in the time and frequency domains to assess frequency-specific networks supporting the directed connectivity between key cortical regions (frontal and parietal) in the two hemispheres. According to the results, long-practice meditation was characterized by a significant increase of information flow (1) from posterior to frontal cortical regions, and (2) across frontal regions of the two hemispheres. These dominant transfers were supported by multi-spectral oscillatory networks involving theta, alpha and beta frequency bands, with most prominent expression of GC alpha peak. This pattern of enhanced information transfer in LTM relative to STM was observed in both resting state and each meditation state. These results suggest that long-term meditation is associated with a shift in resting-state brain dynamics toward reduced reliance on slow, undirected intrinsic oscillations, and enhanced directional connectivity in frequencies linked to attention and cognitive control. The dominant posterior-to-anterior directionality points to a reorganization of cognitive control networks that may support the phenomenological qualities of extensive meditation (sustained attention, internal attention, present-moment awareness, and reduced cognitive elaboration). The similarity of between-group differences in directionality patterns across states points to a neuroplastic effect of long-term meditation and highlights meditation as a potential model for investigating adaptive neuroplasticity in large-scale brain networks.