Mindfulness Research at UCLA Psychoneuroimmunology Center (PNI)
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research center is a part of PNI. The Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology serves as a major campus facilitator for bridging training in the fields of behavioral science, neuroscience, and immunology.
The Cousins Center brings together diverse group of scientists with the goal of understanding the role of immunological mechanisms that underlie behavioral disturbances with impacts on mental health.
The Cousins Center consists of core faculty conducting PNI-based research studies on aging, alcohol and substance abuse, cancer, infectious diseases, inflammatory diseases and mind-body interactions. In addition, the center has its own on-site Inflammatory Biology Core Laboratory and Psychophysiology Laboratory.
For more infomation on being a study participant or a research volunteer, please contact 310.825.8281.
Other Mindfulness research investigating biological correlates are being conducted by MARC & PNI researchers. Mindfulness Bibliography
MAPs in Education
A pilot study of MAPs for Pre-K was conducted at the UCLA Early Education Center from Jan-May of 2007. The MAPs learning tool was an Innerkids program and the evaluation study was conducted by Drs. Smalley, Flook, and Ms. Jennifer Kitil. The study consists of 48 children, who received two MAPs classes per week for eight weeks. Results showed improvement in executive function, Smalley et al submitted.
For more information, contact jkitil@mednet.ucla.edu.
Mindfulness Bibliography
MAPs for ADHD ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)
Mindful awareness practices are being incorporated into numerous treatment modalities for various psychiatric and behavioral conditions. MARC researchers and affiliated faculty have ongoing research on basic neurobiological mechanisms of mindful awareness and efficacy in diverse populations.
Mindful Awareness Program for ADHD (MAPs for ADHD) was developed by Lidia Zylowska, MD and Susan Smalley, PhD as an innovative study to explore the utility of meditation treatment for teenagers and adults with ADHD. This work was supported, in part, by the Robert Wood Johnson foundation.
The program was evaluated for sensibility in adult and teen populations and results of the study are available via Dr. Zylowska. For more information, please see article in ADDitudes Magazine or contact Dr. Zylowska at lzylowsk@ucla.edu or Dr. Smalley at ssmalley@mednet.ucla.edu.
For more information on ADHD please visit the Program on ADHD and Related Conditions.
Mindfulness Bibliography