Birkbeck Seminar: Elena Antonova

TITLE: The Neural DYnamics of a Mindful Brain

SPEAKER: Dr Elena Antonova, King’s College

ABSTRACT:

In this talk, I will introduce the general principles of how mindfulness practice affects brain
dynamics during the so-called resting state and under the conditions of cognitive demands. In this
context, I will present some of the findings of psychophysiology research that I have been working
on with my colleagues at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience using startle
habituation and eye movement paradigms, as well as some new methodological developments using
EEG microstates. Finally, I will relate the effects of mindfulness on brain functional dynamics to its
efficacy in psychopathological states such as psychosis and depression.

BIO:

Dr Elena Antonova is a Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience,
King’s College London, UK (https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/elena.antonova.html). She has obtained
BSc in Psychology from the University College London, UK, in 2000 and the PhD in Cognitive
Psychology from the Institute of Psychiatry, UK, in 2004.  Her main research interest is the
neuroscience of mindfulness using psychophysiology and neuroimaging methods with the
application to the prevention and management of psychosis and schizophrenia. Dr Antonova held
Templeton Positive Neuroscience Award between 2011-2013 for the project investigating the effect
of mindful attention on sensory information processing in expert mindfulness practitioners
 (http://www.posneuroscience.org/research-awards.html). Her research attracted media attention,
including two reports featured on the BBC Breakfast Show. She has been actively involved with the
Mind and Life Institute (https://www.mindandlife.org/), an organization co-founded by Francisco
Varela that aims to facilitate an inter-disciplinary research into the effects of contemplative
practices. Her contribution to the work of the Mind & Life Institute and to the field of contemplative
neuroscience has been recognized with an election as a Mind & Life Research Fellow in November
2017.