I.P. Pavlov Journal of Higher Nervous ActivityI.P. Pavlov Journal of Higher Nervous ActivityЖурнал высшей нервной деятельности им. И.П. Павлова0044-46773034-5316The Russian Academy of Sciences68502610.31857/S0044467725030039ФИЗИОЛОГИЯ ВЫСШЕЙ НЕРВНОЙ (КОГНИТИВНОЙ) ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ЧЕЛОВЕКАФИЗИОЛОГИЯ ВЫСШЕЙ НЕРВНОЙ (КОГНИТИВНОЙ) ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ЧЕЛОВЕКАResearch ArticlePilot fMRI-EEG study of tantric meditation in Tibetan monksПилотное фМРТ-ЭЭГ-исследование тантрической медитации тибетских монаховAbramovaV. D.АбрамоваВ. Д.
Russian Federation
victoria.d.abramova@gmail.comPetrovskyE. D.ПетровскийЕ. Д.
Russian Federation
victoria.d.abramova@gmail.comBezmaternykhD. D.БезматерныхД. Д.
Russian Federation
victoria.d.abramova@gmail.comZhironkinaY. S.ЖиронкинаЮ. С.
Russian Federation
victoria.d.abramova@gmail.comKorostyshevskayaA. M.КоростышевскаяА. М.
Russian Federation
victoria.d.abramova@gmail.comShtarkM. B.ШтаркМ. Б.
Russian Federation
victoria.d.abramova@gmail.comKaplanA. Y.КапланА. Я.
Russian Federation
victoria.d.abramova@gmail.comInstitute “International Tomography Center”Институт «Международный томографический центр» СО РАНFederal Research Center for Fundamental and Translational MedicineФедеральный исследовательский центр фундаментальной и трансляционной медициныSave Tibet FoundationФонд «Сохраним Тибет»Lomonosov Moscow State UniversityМосковский Государственный Университет им. М.В. Ломоносова1505202575330031217062025Copyright ©; 2025, Russian Academy of SciencesCopyright ©; 2025, Российская академия наук2025Russian Academy of SciencesРоссийская академия наукhttps://innoscience.ru/0044-4677/article/view/685026

This pilot study aimed to investigate brain functional activity and connectivity using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) in Tibetan monks during meditation. The meditative practice was based on Buddhist techniques requiring focused attention and the “dissolution” of mental imagery. Three monks participated in the experiment, two of whom underwent two meditation sessions. Data analysis revealed changes in the connectivity of the default mode network, salience network, and sensorimotor network during meditation compared to the resting state. An increase in alpha rhythm and a decrease in delta rhythm (EEG) were observed. Joint fMRI-EEG analysis identified a relationship between brain activity and the dynamics of alpha and delta rhythms. The results indicate that meditation significantly influences brain activity and may serve as a neurotherapeutic technique to enhance cognitive and psycho-emotional functions.

Настоящее пилотное исследование направлено на изучение функциональной активности и связности мозга с помощью функциональной магнитно-резонансной томографии (фМРТ) и электроэнцефалографии (ЭЭГ) у тибетских монахов во время медитации. В эксперименте участвовали три монаха, двое из которых прошли две сессии медитации. Анализ данных выявил изменение связности сети пассивного режима работы мозга, сети выделения значимости и сенсомоторной сети, усиление альфа-ритма и снижение дельта-ритма ЭЭГ при медитации относительно покоя. Совместный фМРТ-ЭЭГ-анализ выявил связь функциональной активности мозга с динамикой альфа- и дельта-ритмов. Полученные результаты подтверждают, что медитация оказывает системное влияние на работу мозга, способствуя изменению его функциональной организации, и может иметь значение для разработки новых подходов к когнитивной и эмоциональной саморегуляции.

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