Yoga Effects on Brain Health: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature 2019
This recent study adds to the growing body of evidence that yoga is beneficial for our mental health issues like Anxiety ([Kirkwood et al. Br J Sports Med 2005], Stress [Chong C et al Pubmed 2011] and Depression [Pilkington K et al Jour Affect Disord 2005].
In this review 11 studies examined the effect of yoga on the brain structure, function and cerebral blood flow using MRI (image slices of brain), SPECT ( images the brain in 3-D) and fMRI (images changes associated by blood flow in response to neural activity).
Collectively the studies show us a positive effect of yoga practice to the structure and function of the brain. Areas that show age related atrophy are most changed and include the hippocampus which is involved in memory and learning and is improved with regular yoga practice and mindfulness. Other areas that improved were the amygdala (emotion memories, behaviour, remembering), prefrontal cortex (processes information, focus of attention, executive functions) , cingulate cortex ( emotional processing and memory) and Insula (regulates taste, regulates immune system, where pain is perceived). Evidence show that grey matter in the brain decreases with age whilst findings show that it is maintained with exercise and mindfulness such as yoga practices and these practices confer neuroprotective effects to the brain.
Conclusion, this study demonstrates that yoga can confer a positive structural and functional benefit to the brain. Regular Yoga practice maintains mental functions and grey matter in many parts of the brain as we age. It does this by physically altering the structure of the brain thus also changing the function of the brain preserving areas that are naturally lost as time goes by.
This is a promising article that deserves to be followed up with more research as yoga practice could potentially help to mitigate age related and neurodegenerative declines.
Yoga Effects on Brain Health: A Systematic Review of the Current Literature
Neha P Gothe, Imadh Khan, Jessica Hayes, Emily Erienbach, Jessica S Damoiseaux
Brain Plasticity, 2019 Dec 26;5(1):105-122. doi 10.3233/BPL-190084
Abstract
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31970064/
PAPER
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6971819/#!po=57.3171