Mindfulness Training Improves Cognition and Strengthens Intrinsic Connectivity Between the Hippocampus and Posteromedial Cortex in Healthy Older Adults.

Maintaining optimal cognitive functioning throughout the lifespan is a public health priority. Evaluation of cognitive outcomes following interventions to promote and preserve brain structure and function in older adults, and associated neural mechanisms, are therefore of critical importance. In this randomized controlled trial, we examined the behavioral and neural outcomes following mindfulness training ( = 72), compared to a cognitive fitness program ( = 74) in healthy, cognitively normal, older adults (65-80 years old).

The intestinal microbiota as a predictor for antidepressant treatment outcome in geriatric depression: a prospective pilot study.

Objectives: (1) To investigate if gut microbiota can be a predictor of remission in geriatric depression and to identify features of the gut microbiota that is associated with remission. (2) To determine if changes in gut microbiota occur with remission in geriatric depression.

Design: Secondary analysis of a parent randomized placebo-controlled trial (NCT02466958).

Compassionate Hearts Protect Against Wandering Minds: Self-compassion Moderates the Effect of Mind-Wandering on Depression.

Depression is associated with high levels of mind-wandering and low levels of self-compassion. However, little is known about whether and how these two factors interact with one another to influence depressive symptoms. The current study examined the interaction between mind-wandering, self-compassion and depressive symptoms in a depressed sample and tested the effects of an eight-week Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) program on these constructs.