Effects of Heart Rate Oscillations During Meditation on Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease

NCT06210035 | Completed Results

• 1 other identifier: UP-23-00373
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 94
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

In the current study, we will examine how two types of concentration meditation practices affect plasma biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). We will also examine the effects of the two types of meditation practices on emotional well-being and episodic memory. Healthy adults aged 18-35 who meet all eligibility criteria will be invited to this study. Participants will be asked to engage in one week of daily meditation practice or no-intervention control task at home. They will also be asked to visit the lab twice, once before and once after the intervention, to provide blood samples to assess plasma biomarkers of AD and to complete emotion questionnaires and a memory test.

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Plasma Amyloid Beta (Aβ) Levels

  The investigators computed an aggregate Z-score based on plasma Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels (pg/mL). A Z-score of 0 represents the sample mean. Higher values indicate a greater level of plasma Aβ, which in cognitively normal individuals has been found to be associated with a higher risk of converting to Alzheimer's disease (Song et al., 2011). They conducted a 2 (time: pre, post) × 3 (condition) ANOVA to test for a time × condition interaction in plasma Aβ levels, assessing group differences in change over time.

  Measured from blood draws before and after a one-week intervention

• Change in Plasma Ab42/40 Ratio

  The investigators conducted a 2 (time: pre, post) × 3 (condition) ANOVA to test for an interaction effect on plasma Ab42/40 ratios. The plasma Ab42/40 ratio was calculated by dividing the plasma Ab42 concentration (pg/ml) by the plasma Ab40 concentration (pg/ml). A higher plasma Ab42/40 ratio indicates better outcome (i.e., greater brain clearance).

  Measured from blood draws before and after a one-week intervention

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Plasma pTau-181/Tau Ratio

  Measured from blood draws before and after a one-week intervention

• Change in Emotional Well-being

  Measured before and after a one-week intervention

Other Outcomes (1)

• Episodic Memory

  Measured after a one-week intervention

Study Arms (3)

Belly-focus concentration meditation

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will engage in concentration meditation for 40 minutes every day for a week while recording heart rate. They will focus on the sensations around the belly.

Behavioral: Belly-focus meditation

Belly-focus concentration meditation with slow breathing

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will engage in concentration meditation and slow breathing for 40 minutes every day for a week while recording heart rate. They will focus on the sensations around the belly while breathing slowly.

Behavioral: Belly-focus meditation with slow breathing

No-intervention control

NO INTERVENTION

Participants will rest quietly for 40 minutes every day for a week while recording heart rate.

Interventions

Belly-focus meditation BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in concentration meditation for 40 minutes every day for a week. They will focus on the sensations around the belly.

Belly-focus concentration meditation

Belly-focus meditation with slow breathing BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in concentration meditation and slow breathing for 40 minutes every day for a week. They will focus on the sensations around the belly while breathing slowly.

Belly-focus concentration meditation with slow breathing

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 35 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Fluent in English
• Aged between 18-35 years old
• Agree to provide blood samples
• Healthy adults who weigh at least 110 pounds
• Agree to devote 40 minutes daily to this study for a week

You may not qualify if:

• Have a disorder that would affect heart rhythm or function (e.g., abnormal cardiac rhythm, dyspnea, heart disease including coronary artery disease, angina and arrhythmia)
• Regularly practicing any relaxation, meditation or yoga that involve breathing focused practices lasting for more than an hour each week

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Southern California: lead
• University of California, Irvine: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, 90089, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Alzheimer Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Dementia; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Dr. Mara Mather
• Organization: University of Southern California

mara.mather@usc.edu

(213) 821-1868

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 20, 2023
• First Posted: January 18, 2024
• Study Start: January 29, 2024
• Primary Completion: May 3, 2024
• Study Completion: May 3, 2024
• Last Updated: January 5, 2026
• Results First Posted: January 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

US (1)