[JonathanFields]

Another study out of the University of Oregon last year used MRI to show similar results, but in as little as 6 hours of training:

"The changes were strongest in connections involving the anterior cingulate, a brain area related to the ability to regulate emotions and behavior. The changes were observed only in those who practiced meditation and not in the control group. The changes in connectivity began after six hours of training and became clear by 11 hours of practice. The researchers said it is possible the changes resulted from a reorganization of white-matter tracts or by an increase of myelin that surrounds the connections."

http://uonews.uoregon.edu/archive/news-release/2010/8/chines...

While the meditation protocol was not published (MBSR used in the main post has been well documented), I actually interviewed one of the lead investigators for the book I'm working on now and he shared that the U of O protocol was a hybrid that combined elements of mindfulness and some more basic physical relaxation techniques.