A recent study conducted by UCLA Health suggests that Kundalini yoga, a form of yoga focusing on breathing, meditation, and mental visualization, may offer benefits to older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The research, led by Dr. Helen Lavretsky at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behaviour, found that Kundalini yoga increased brain connectivity in areas impacted by stress and associated with memory decline. These findings add to the growing evidence supporting the potential positive impact of yoga on brain health.
STUDY DETAILS
The study compared the effects of Kundalini yoga to a gold-standard memory enhancement training (MET) on brain connectivity in sub regions of the hippocampus, a critical area of the brain for learning and memory. MET, derived from techniques using verbal and visual association, aims to improve memory.
KEY FINDINGS
Yoga and Memory Training Effects: The study found that Kundalini yoga appeared to target stress-related hippocampal connectivity, while MET focused on sensory-integration sub regions of the hippocampus, supporting better memory reliability.
Benefits for Women with Perceived Stress: The research suggests that Kundalini yoga may be particularly beneficial for women experiencing perceived stress and subjective memory decline.
Ideal for Older Adults: Kundalini yoga, with its emphasis on breathing and mental engagement over movement, makes it an ideal option for older adults with physical limitations.
Neuroprotective Effects: Kundalini and KirtanKriya yoga showed potential neuroprotective effects, with yoga having a more robust impact on right hippocampal volume, possibly improving memory function.
Improved Information Processing: Kundalini yoga may aid in processing information, including facial information, into memory through enhanced hippocampal sub region connectivity.
The Role of MET: MET, with its various mnemonic strategies aiming to enhance sensory integration into memory processes, may have superiority over yoga in terms of hippocampal sensory-integration important to memory.
The UCLA study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting the potential benefits of Kundalini yoga for brain health, specifically for older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The findings indicate that this gentle form of yoga can increase brain connectivity and potentially improve memory retention. Further large-scale studies with control groups will be necessary to confirm and better understand the effects of both yoga and MET on hippocampal connectivity and memory. As the research on yoga’s impact on brain health expands, incorporating Kundalini yoga into memory enhancement and Alzheimer’s prevention programs may prove beneficial for older adults experiencing stress and cognitive concerns. The study will be published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in August 2023.
