Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources.
The information processing capacity of the human mind is limited, as is evidenced by the so-called "attentional-blink" deficit: When two targets (T1 and T2) embedded in a rapid stream of events are presented in close temporal proximity, the second target is often not seen. This deficit is...
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2007-06-01
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0050138 |
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doaj-7be307a25e1e4e5398f5cd9a7e65797e2021-07-02T19:47:39ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Biology1544-91731545-78852007-06-0156e13810.1371/journal.pbio.0050138Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources.Heleen A SlagterAntoine LutzLawrence L GreischarAndrew D FrancisSander NieuwenhuisJames M DavisRichard J DavidsonThe information processing capacity of the human mind is limited, as is evidenced by the so-called "attentional-blink" deficit: When two targets (T1 and T2) embedded in a rapid stream of events are presented in close temporal proximity, the second target is often not seen. This deficit is believed to result from competition between the two targets for limited attentional resources. Here we show, using performance in an attentional-blink task and scalp-recorded brain potentials, that meditation, or mental training, affects the distribution of limited brain resources. Three months of intensive mental training resulted in a smaller attentional blink and reduced brain-resource allocation to the first target, as reflected by a smaller T1-elicited P3b, a brain-potential index of resource allocation. Furthermore, those individuals that showed the largest decrease in brain-resource allocation to T1 generally showed the greatest reduction in attentional-blink size. These observations provide novel support for the view that the ability to accurately identify T2 depends upon the efficient deployment of resources to T1. The results also demonstrate that mental training can result in increased control over the distribution of limited brain resources. Our study supports the idea that plasticity in brain and mental function exists throughout life and illustrates the usefulness of systematic mental training in the study of the human mind.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0050138 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Heleen A Slagter Antoine Lutz Lawrence L Greischar Andrew D Francis Sander Nieuwenhuis James M Davis Richard J Davidson |
spellingShingle |
Heleen A Slagter Antoine Lutz Lawrence L Greischar Andrew D Francis Sander Nieuwenhuis James M Davis Richard J Davidson Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. PLoS Biology |
author_facet |
Heleen A Slagter Antoine Lutz Lawrence L Greischar Andrew D Francis Sander Nieuwenhuis James M Davis Richard J Davidson |
author_sort |
Heleen A Slagter |
title |
Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. |
title_short |
Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. |
title_full |
Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. |
title_fullStr |
Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. |
title_full_unstemmed |
Mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. |
title_sort |
mental training affects distribution of limited brain resources. |
publisher |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
series |
PLoS Biology |
issn |
1544-9173 1545-7885 |
publishDate |
2007-06-01 |
description |
The information processing capacity of the human mind is limited, as is evidenced by the so-called "attentional-blink" deficit: When two targets (T1 and T2) embedded in a rapid stream of events are presented in close temporal proximity, the second target is often not seen. This deficit is believed to result from competition between the two targets for limited attentional resources. Here we show, using performance in an attentional-blink task and scalp-recorded brain potentials, that meditation, or mental training, affects the distribution of limited brain resources. Three months of intensive mental training resulted in a smaller attentional blink and reduced brain-resource allocation to the first target, as reflected by a smaller T1-elicited P3b, a brain-potential index of resource allocation. Furthermore, those individuals that showed the largest decrease in brain-resource allocation to T1 generally showed the greatest reduction in attentional-blink size. These observations provide novel support for the view that the ability to accurately identify T2 depends upon the efficient deployment of resources to T1. The results also demonstrate that mental training can result in increased control over the distribution of limited brain resources. Our study supports the idea that plasticity in brain and mental function exists throughout life and illustrates the usefulness of systematic mental training in the study of the human mind. |
url |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0050138 |
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