Meditation and Synaptic Density

 Are you an experienced meditator?

The Yale University PET Center is conducting a study to investigate whether meditation has any effects on synaptic density, using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans. 

We are looking for 40 experienced, healthy meditators (i.e., those who have completed over 5,000 hours of regular meditation practice) who would like to contribute to the overall knowledge of meditation’s effects on the human brain. Compensation is up to $400.

To learn more or see if you are eligible to participate, call 203-737-7496. 

Inclusion Criteria:

1) Age 28-70 years

2) Voluntary, written, informed consent

3) Physically healthy by medical history, physical, ECG and laboratory examinations

4) At least 10 years and 5,000 hours of regular meditation practice

5.) For females, non‐lactating, no longer of child-bearing potential or agree to practice

effective contraception during the study, as well as a negative serum pregnancy (β-HCG) test

at screening, and negative urine pregnancy on PET scanning days.

Exclusion Criteria:

1) A history of significant psychiatric, medical (e.g., cardiovascular, renal) or neurological (e.g.,

cerebrovascular, seizure, traumatic brain injury) illness that is unstable and/or might affect the

study objectives.

2) Current or history of substance dependence (e.g., alcohol, nicotine, opiates, sedative

hypnotics, etc.)

3) Subjects with history of prior radiation exposure for research purposes within the past year

such that participation in this study would place them over FDA limits for annual radiation

exposure. This guideline is an effective dose of 5 rem received per year.

4) Subjects with current, past or anticipated exposure to radiation in the work place within one

year of proposed research PET scans that in combination with the study tracer would result in

a cumulative exposure that exceeds recommended exposure limits.

5) Medical contraindications to participation in a magnetic resonance imaging procedure (e.g.,

ferromagnetic implants/foreign bodies, claustrophobia, cardiac pacemaker, prosthetic valve,

otologic implant, etc.)

6) History of a bleeding disorder or are currently taking anticoagulants (such as Coumadin,

Heparin, Pradaxa, Xarelto).

7.) Medications that effect SV2A binding (e.g., levetiracetam).