A study by Gotink et al found that 8 weeks of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) induced brain changes similar to traditional long-term meditation practices. The researchers found demonstrable functional and structural changes in the prefrontal cortex, cingulate cortex, insula and hippocampus similar to changes described in studies on traditional meditation practice. In addition, MBSR led to changes in the amygdala consistent with improved emotion regulation.