April 9, 2015: Default Mode Network and Meditation

                                                     

     Paul presented information about the default mode network and the task positive network. He read or scanned over 100 scientific articles about these networks and found one article that he felt describes them quite well.  We took turns reading this article.  This article is a very good one and describes the locations of and the differences between these two networks and how they work. The article also considers how these two networks contribute to anxiety, depression, meditation and mindfulness. The natural cycling of these two networks affects our ability to meditate with success. This cycling between the DMN and the TPN occurs every 5 to 100 seconds. The average length of the cycle is 20 seconds. During meditation, our brain cycles at this frequency. This is the source of what we often call our "monkey mind."

     Here is the location of the article:  http://www.mindfulnessmd.com/2014/07/08/neuroscience-of-mindfulness-default-mode-net
Paul also completed reading the book "The Organized Mind" by Daniel J. Levitin. The location of the Matthew Williams article:
http://www.mindfulnessmd.com/2014/06/21/the-neuroscience-of-mindfulness-anxiety/

     The description of meditation fits an older description of 2 types of meditation. The first is called the 'wondering cow' meditation. In this case the cow is wondering in an open pasture totally free to do anything. This type of meditation is also called open awareness meditation which would strengthen the DMN. The second type of meditation is called "squeezing the cow" meditation. for this meditation you engage the TPN for meditation.

     In mental health, both networks are strong and they are more separated. That is they involve more discrete areas of the brain when active and do not overlap.

     If you suddenly feel the urge to get up and do something, walk around, anything, that is your TPN cycling into effect. It wants you to get up and move around. For true mental health, the goal is to have both networks working well. These active networks do not have equal strength in every person.

     The author of this article somewhat devalues information about the precuneus area of the brain, but Paul has read that biographical memory becomes active in this area of the brain whereas the hippo campus is used for recent memories. The author also makes the DMN the villain but we know that the DMN is involved in creativity so it is not all bad. A strong DMN is also good for planning, and for insights. In anxiety and depression, the prefrontal cortex is left out. The DMN goes on by itself in anxiety and depression. In depression if you can reactivate your TPN, it helps. That's why exercise, or engaging in social interaction, it helps. In ADHD, the DMN is weak.

     It appears that these two networks do not mature and become truly separate in the brain until after myelination has been completed which happens at about age 25. This is why we see some of the emotional problems that teenagers have. As people mature, the separation of these two networks occurs and they each become stronger.

     There was not a lot of time for discussion, so we have elected to carry on the discussion of these two networks and perhaps even some of the other 40 odd brain networks that are now known to exist.


     A Further Announcement:

Lori Caterini had distributed postcards last week announcing her Graduate Art Therapy Exhibition entitled "Unearth" at Mount Mary University the week of April 13-19 at the Marian Art Gallery, Monday-Friday, ( 9  am  - 7 pm ), Saturday and Sunday (1 - 4 pm).  On Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 4-6 pm there will be performance artworks by Tami DeLisle, Ann Lee, Yasmin tucker, and Heather Leigh, performed in the Parkway Cafe, Lower Level, of Caroline Hall. The Exhibition Reception is Saturday, April 18, from 6 - 9 pm. Lori reminds us that to see some of the natural effects such as moss at its freshest, one should probably visit on the weekend of April 17- 19.  Mount Mary is located 2900 North Menomenee River Parkway, Milwaukee, WI 53222