YOGA INDUCED CHANGES IN BRAIN GABA LEVELS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This is a pilot study designed to provide preliminary data for the resubmission of a grant looking at the effects of a yoga practice on brain gamma-amniobutryric acid (GABA) levels. We have completed several studies that have shown GABA levels to be decreased in cocaine dependent individuals compared to normal controls. This is consistent with the literature that shows brain GABA levels to be decreased in other psychiatric illness such as depression and anxiety disorders. Although a compelling argument can be made that yoga should increase brain GABA levels, we do not have any pilot data to support this claim. This small pilot study is to explore the effect of an established yoga practice on brain GABA levels, both at a baseline state and after a one-hour yoga practice in 10 established yoga practitioners. We will use 2D, J-resolved GABA Chemical Shift Imaging (CSI) scans to obtain two scans on the same day. The first scan will be at baseline and the second scan will be after a one-hour yoga practice. Scans will be obtained at the Mclean Hospital. Our primary dependent variable will be brain GABA levels. We will test the following hypothesis: Hypothesis I: Brain GABA levels will be higher in subjects with an established yoga practice compared to normal control and individuals with cocaine dependence. We will use the data we have already collected on the controls and cocaine dependent subjects for comparison. Hypothesis II: Brain GABA levels increase in subjects with an established yoga practice after a one hour yoga session, compared to GABA levels obtained on the same day prior to the one hour yoga session.