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Mindfulness Increases Resting State EEG Gamma Power in Mild Cognitive Impairment

Poster Session D - Monday, March 9, 2026, 8:00 – 10:00 am PDT, Fairview/Kitsilano Ballroom

Katherine Turk¹ (), Yasemin Yilmaz², Kathy Xie³, Heera Kamaraj⁴, Brenna Hagan⁵, Christine LoVerde⁶, Sarah Harer⁷, Grace Desmond⁸, Priya Mukhi⁹, Meltem Karaca¹⁰, Brandon Frank¹¹, Andrew Budson¹², Sara Lazar¹³; ¹Boston University School of Medicine, ²Center for Translational Cognitive Neuroscience, VA Boston Healthcare System, ³Northeastern Medical College, ⁴University of Massachusetts Medical School, ⁵George Washington University School of Medicine, ⁶Massachusetts General Hospital

Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) features compromised default mode network (DMN) strength and connectivity1. While mindfulness may increase DMN activity in MCI2, the neural mechanisms and state-versus-trait changes in network activity remain unclear. We hypothesized that mindfulness would increase resting-state gamma power, a marker of DMN integrity3, reflecting beneficial neuroplasticity in MCI. Methods: MCI participants were randomized to 8-week mindfulness training (N=8) or waitlist control (N=11). EEG was collected at baseline and post-intervention during rest and 30-minute meditation in both groups. Frontocentral gamma power spectral density (30-45 Hz) was analyzed using group × time × task interactions. Results: The mindfulness group significantly increased gamma at rest post-intervention (p=0.003), while waitlist controls showed no changes (p>0.2). Frontocentral gamma was significantly lower during meditation versus rest at both timepoints (p<0.02), consistent with state-dependent DMN disengagement. The mindfulness group showed stable gamma during meditation across timepoints (p=0.46). A three-way interaction (group × time × task) approached significance (p=0.053), confirming this differential pattern. Conclusion: Mindfulness selectively strengthened resting-state DMN activity as indexed by increased gamma power, while preserving DMN disengagement during meditation. This dissociation suggests mindfulness enhances baseline DMN integrity in MCI without disrupting adaptive network flexibility, indicating potentially beneficial neuroplasticity despite compromised network function. These findings support mindfulness as a targeted intervention for DMN dysfunction in cognitive impairment.

Topic Area: THINKING: Development & aging