BrainAGE and regional volumetric analysis of a Buddhist monk: a longitudinal MRI case study. Issue 2 (3rd March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adluru, Nagesh; Korponay, Cole H.; Norton, Derek L.; Goldman, Robin I.; Davidson, Richard J.
• Is Part Of: Neurocase. Volume 26:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 79
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2020-03-03
• Subjects: MRI case study -- machine learning -- long-term meditator -- Buddhist monk; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neuropsychology -- Case Report; Mental Disorders -- Case Report; Nervous System Diseases -- Case Report; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1080/13554794.2020.1731553
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-4794

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (YMR) is a Tibetan Buddhist monk, and renowned meditation practitioner and teacher who has spent an extraordinary number of hours of his life meditating. The brain-aging profile of this expert meditator in comparison to a control population was examined using a machine learning framework, which estimates "brain-age" from brain imaging. YMR's brain-aging rate appeared slower than that of controls suggesting early maturation and delayed aging. At 41 years, his brain resembled that of a 33-year-old. Specific regional changes did not differentiate YMR from controls, suggesting that the brain-aging differences may arise from coordinated changes spread throughout the gray matter.