Fig. 3.

Summary of findings suggesting that mindfulness may lead to restoration of functioning of the salience network (SN; shown in orange), central executive network (CEN; shown in red) and defult mode network (DMN; shown in blue). Increased connectivity within networks is depicted by solid green lines, increased connectivity between networks is depicted by solid yellow lines, and reduced connectivity between networks is depicted by dashed pink lines. Emerging work has indicated greater functional connectivity within the DMN during rest among meditators when compared with controls and among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following mindfulness intervention, suggesting that it may restore DMN connectivity and appropriate self-referential processing in those with PTSD.³⁵ Increased CEN–DMN connectivity was also reported and may reflect increased ability to shift between internal and external loci of attention. Mixed findings of both increased and decreased DMN–SN connectivity following mindfulness intervention have been reported, depending on the region of the SN. Increased dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)–DMN connectivity was reported following mindfulness intervention for PTSD,³⁵ which may suggest increased capacity for attentional shifting from internal to external stimuli (dACC implicated in executive control). In contrast, reduced SN (insula)–DMN connectivity was reported among controls, which may result in reduced hyperarousal symptoms and increased self-referential processing if findings were replicated in individuals with PTSD. dlPFC = dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; mPFC = medial prefrontal cortex; PCC = posterior cingulate cortex.