Corpus Callosum, Intelligence, Meditation and Neuroplasticity

The corpus callosum is the bundle of nerve fibres that connects the left and the right hemisphere of the brain. A study has found a positive correlation between the thickness of the corpus callosum, captured through high resolution MRI imaging, and intelligence, measured by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (Luders et al., 2007). The research team believes that cognitive abilities might be enhanced by the presence of more numerous nerve fibres engaging in intra-hemisphere communication. Other researchers have observed enhanced neuroplasticity of the brain after many thousands of hours of meditation as practised by Tibetan monks (Davidson & Lutz, 2008). Neuroplasticity can range from synaptogenesis to neurogenesis and altered oscillations of brain waves measured by an EEG. Further research has investigated the effects of long-term meditation on the connectivity of the brain. This team has discovered an increase of fibre density and diameter in white matter fibres that are part of the corpus callosum (Luders, Clark, Narr & Toga, 2011). Mediation practices as well as Pranayama and Yoga might in fact be powerful tools to change the physicality of the brain over time and enhance intellectual and sensory processing as well as emotional wellbeing (Desai, Tailor & Bhatt, 2015).

References

Desai, R., Tailor, A. & Bhatt, T. (2015). Effects of yoga on brain waves and structural activation: A review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.02.002

Luders, E., Clark, K., Narr, K. L., & Toga, A. W. (2011). Enhanced Brain Connectivity in Long-term Meditation. Neuroimage, 15; 57(4), 1308–1316. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.05.075

Davidson, R., Lutz, A. (2008). Buddha's Brain: Neuroplasticity and Meditation. IEEE Signal Process Mag. 1; 25(1), 176–174. ISSN: 1053-5888

Luders, E., Narr, K., Bilder, R., Thompson, P., Szeszko, P., Hamilton, L., & Toga, A. (2007). Positive Correlations between Corpus Callosum Thickness and Intelligence. Neuroimage, 1; 37(4), 1457–1464. doi:10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.06.028

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