Associations of religious behavior and experiences with extent of regional atrophy in the orbitofrontal cortex during older adulthood

Bibliographic Data

ID16909321
AuthorsR David Hayward (0000-0002-9845-6131, University of Michigan, corresponding author), Amy D Owen (Duke University Hospital), Harold Koenig (0000-0003-2573-6121, Duke Medical Center), David C Steffens (0000-0001-6626-7398, Duke University Hospital), Martha E Payne (Duke Medical Center)
Year2011
Volume1
Issue2
Pages103-118
Publication date2011-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligion Brain & Behavior (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2153-5981 • E-ISSN: 2153-599X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/2153599x.2011.598328
PMID22611519
PMCIDPMC3352675
OpenAlexW1974377247
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited61

The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) is a region of the brain that has been empirically linked with religious or spiritual activity, and atrophy in this region has been shown to contribute to serious mental illness in late life. This study used structural magnetic resonance imaging to examine the association between religious or spiritual factors and volume of the orbitalfrontal cortex (OFC). Change in the volume of participants' left and right OFC was measured longitudinally over a period of two to eight years. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that religious or spiritual factors were related to extent of atrophy in the left OFC. Significantly less atrophy of the left OFC was observed in participants who reported a life-changing religious or spiritual experience during the course of the study, and in members of Protestant religious groups who reported being born-again when entering the study. Significantly greater atrophy of the left OFC was also associated with more frequent participation in public religious worship. No significant relationship was observed between religious or spiritual factors and extent of atrophy in the right OFC. These results support the presence of a long-term relationship between religious or spiritual experience and brain structure, which may have clinical implications

Atrophy · Cognition · Developmental psychology · Orbitofrontal cortex · Prefrontal cortex · Religious life · Theology · Worship · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Medicine · Neuroscience · Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Religious studies · Internal Medicine

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