Publications

Google Scholar Profile

2025

1. Denkova, E., Tardibuono, T.K., Tsukahara, J., Zanesco, A.P., & Jha, A.P. (2025). Climate anxiety impairs sustained attention: Objective evidence of a cognitive cost. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1624782

2. Schwartzman, B., Zanesco, A.P., Denkova, E., Tsukahara, J.S., & Jha, A.P. (2025). Examining the association between vigilance and mind wandering. Frontiers in Cognition. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcogn.2025.1577053

3. Zanesco, A.P., Denkova, E., Barry, J., Alessio, C. & Jha, A.P. (2025). Examining cognition in action: Laboratory-based attentional control tasks predict performance on combat-relevant tasks in an augmented reality training environment. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1543161

4. VandenBos, S.V., Pokorny, J.J., Skwara, A.C., Diaw, S.M., King, B.G., Zanesco, A.P., Majied, K., Saron, C. D., & Conklin, Q.A. (2025). Benefits and challenges of delivering meditation instruction live online: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic regarding accessibility and connection. Mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-025-02556-1

5. Zanesco, A.P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A.P. (2025). Mind wandering increases in frequency over time during task performance: An individual-participant meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 151(2), 217-239. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000424

6. Lin, Y., Atad, D.A., & Zanesco, A.P. (2025). Using EEG to advance mindfulness science: A survey of emerging methods and approaches. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 10(4), 342-349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.09.012

7. Aichele, S.R., Sahdra, B.K., Zanesco, A.P., King, B.G., Bradshaw, E.L., Pokorny, J.J., Ferrer, E., Shaver, P.R., & Saron, C.D. (2025). Meditation training and enduring changes in psychological functioning: A 7-year longitudinal study. Journal of Positive Psychology, 20, 544-557.  https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2024.2378700

2024

8. Dziego, C. A., Zanesco, A. P., Bornkessel-Schlesewsky, I., Schlesewsky, M., Stanley, E. A., & Jha, A. P. (2024). Mindfulness-training in high-demand cohorts alters resting-state electroencephalography: an exploratory investigation of individual alpha frequency, aperiodic 1/f activity, and microstates. Biological Psychiatry: Global Open Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsgos.2024.100383

9. Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Barry, J., & Jha, A. P. (2024). Mind wandering is associated with worsening attentional vigilance. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance. https://doi.org/10.1037/xhp0001233

10. Price, M. M., Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Jha, A. P. (2024). Examining factors associated with self-reported cognitive functioning in elite military settings: considerations of combat experiences and post-traumatic stress symptomology. Scientific Reports, 14, 19161. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65826-3

11. Zanesco, A. P., Van Dam, T. N., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2024). Measuring mind wandering with experience sampling during task performance: An item response theory investigation. Behavior Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-024-02446-9 

12. Zanesco, A. P. (2024). Normative temporal dynamics of resting EEG microstates. Brain Topography, 37(2), 243-264. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-023-01004-4

13. Koenig, T., Diezig, S., Kalburgi, S., ...Michel, C. M. (2024). EEG-Meta-Microstates: Towards a more objective use of resting-state EEG microstate findings across studies. Brain Topography, 37, 218–231. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-023-00993-6

14. Takarae, Y., Zanesco, A. P., Erickson, C. A., & Pedapati, E. V. (2024). EEG microstates as markers for cognitive impairments in Fragile X syndrome. Brain Topography, 37, 432-446. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-023-01009-z

15. Denkova, E., Barry, J., Zanesco, A. P., Rooks, J., Rogers, S. L., & Jha, A. P. (2024). Online mindfulness training for older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a randomized controlled trial using a multi-method assessment approach. Aging and Mental Health, 28(1), 130-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2023.2242301

16. Conklin, Q. A., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., Epel, E., & Saron, C. D. (2024). Changes in peripheral oxytocin and vasopressin during a silent month-long insight meditation retreat. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1345527

2023

17. Price, M., Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Barry, J., Rogers, S., & Jha, A. P. (2023). Investigating the protective effects of mindfulness-based attention training on mind wandering in applied settings. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1232598. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1232598

18. Conklin, Q. A., Patterson, C. E., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., Pokorny, J. J., Alvarez-Lopez, M. J., Cosin-Tomas, M., Kaliman, P., & Saron, C. D. (2023). Serum BDNF predicts increases in telomere length during a month-long residential meditation retreat. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity Integrative, 4, 1000023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbii.2023.100023

19. King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., Skwara, A. C., & Saron, C. D. (2023). Cultivating concern for others: Meditation training and motivated engagement with human suffering. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001431

20. Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., Conklin, Q. A., & Saron, C. D. (2023). The occurrence of psychologically profound, meaningful, and mystical experiences during a month-long meditation retreat. Mindfulness, 14, 606-621. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02076-w

21. Banks, J. B., Mallick, A., Nieto, A. C., Zanesco, A. P., & Jha, A. P. (2023). The role of affective interference and mnemonic load in the dynamic adjustment in working memory. Memory & Cognition, 51(1), 203–220. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-022-01303-4

2022

22. Skwara, A. C., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., & Saron, C. D. (2022). Shifting baselines: Longitudinal reductions in beta oscillatory power characterize resting brain activity with intensive meditation. Mindfulness, 13, 2488–2506. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-022-01974-9

23. Denkova, E., Alessio, C., Barry, J., Zanesco, A. P., Rogers, S. L., Matusevich, K., & Jha, A. P. (2022). Mindfulness training in organizational settings: An empirical look at the research. In L. Wilkin and Y. Pathak, De Gruyter Handbook of Organizational Conflict Management. De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110746365

24. Alvarez-Lopez, M. J., Conklin, Q. A., Cosin-Tomas, M., Shields, G. S., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., Kaliman, P., & Saron, C. D. (2022). Changes in the expression of inflammatory and epigenetic-modulatory genes after an intensive meditation retreat. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology, 11, 100152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2022.100152

25. Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2022). Examining long-range temporal dependence in experience sampling reports of mind wandering. Computational Brain & Behavior, 5, 217-233. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42113-022-00130-9

26. Takarae, Y., Zanesco, A. P., Keehn, B., Chukoskie, L., Müller, R. A., & Townsend, J. (2022). EEG microstates suggest atypical resting-state network activity in high-functioning children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Development. Developmental Science, 24(4), e13231. https://doi.org/10.1111/desc.13231

27. Witkin, J. E., Denkova, E., Zanesco, A. P., Morrison, A. B., Rooks, J., Carpenter, J., Baime, M., & Jha, A. P. (2022). Does intensive mindfulness training strengthen sustained attention? Examining individual differences in mind wandering during the Sustained Attention to Response Task. OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine, 7(2), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.2202016 

2021

28. Jha, A. P., Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., MacNulty, W. K., & Rogers, S. L. (2021). The effects of mindfulness training on working memory performance in high-demand cohorts: A multi-study investigation. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 6, 192–204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-021-00228-1

29. Denkova, E., Barry, J., Slavin, L., Zanesco, A. P., Rogers, S. L., & Jha, A. P. (2021). Investigating the feasibility and efficacy of peer-trainer delivered mindfulness training on cognitive abilities and psychological health. Mindfulness, 12, 2645–2661. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01713-6

30. Witkin, J. E., Denkova, E., Zanesco, A. P., Llabre, M. M., & Jha, A. P. (2021). Higher self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms are associated with poorer working memory in active-duty service members. Neuropsychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000755

31. Zanesco, A. P., Skwara, A. C., King, B. G., Powers, C., Wineberg, K., & Saron, C. D. (2021). Meditation training modulates brain electric microstates and felt states of awareness. Human Brain Mapping, 42(10), 3228-3252.  https://doi.org/10.1002/hbm.25430

32. Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2021). Associations between self-reported spontaneous thought and temporal sequences of EEG microstates. Brain and Cognition, 150, 105696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandc.2021.105696 

33. Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2021). Self-reported mind wandering and response time variability differentiate pre-stimulus electroencephalogram microstate dynamics during a sustained attention task. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 33(1), 28-45. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01636

2020

34. Zanesco, A. P., Witkin, J. E., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2020). Experience sampling of the degree of mind wandering distinguishes hidden attentional states. Cognition, 205, 104380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2020.104380

35. Shields, G. S., Skwara, A. C., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., Dhabhar, F., & Saron, C. D. (2020). Deconstructing the effects of concentration meditation practice on interference control: The roles of controlled attention and inflammatory activity. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 89, 256-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2020.06.034

36. Zanesco, A. P. (2020). Quantifying streams of thought during cognitive task performance using sequence analysis. Behavior Research Methods, 52, 2417-2437. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-020-01416-1 

37. Zanesco, A. P., Witkin, J. E., Morrison, A. B., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2020). Memory load, distracter interference, and dynamic adjustments in cognitive control influence working memory performance across the lifespan. Psychology and Aging, 35(5), 614–626. https://doi.org/10.1037/pag0000434

38. Zanesco, A. P. (2020). EEG electric field topography is stable during moments of high field strength. Brain Topography, 33, 450-460. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10548-020-00780-7

39. Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., Skwara, A. C., & Saron, C. D. (2020). Within and between-person correlates of the temporal dynamics of resting EEG microstates. NeuroImage, 211, 116631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116631

40. Denkova, E., Zanesco, A. P., Rogers, S. L., & Jha, A. P. (2020). Is resilience trainable? An initial study comparing mindfulness and relaxation training in firefighters. Psychiatry Research, 285, 112794. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112794

41. Jha, A. P., Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Rooks, J., Morrison, A. B., & Stanley, E. A. (2020). Comparing mindfulness and positivity trainings in high-demand cohorts. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 44, 311-326. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-020-10076-6 

42. Jha, A. P., Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Morrison, A. B., Ramos, N., Chichester, K., Gaddy, J. W., & Rogers, S. L. (2020). Bolstering cognitive resilience via train-the-trainer delivery of mindfulness training in applied high-demand settings. Mindfulness, 11, 683-697. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-019-01284-7 

43. Witkin, J. E., Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., & Jha, A. P. (2020). Dynamic adjustments in working memory in the face of affective interference. Memory & Cognition, 48, 16-31. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-019-00958-w

2019

44. Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., Powers, C., De Meo, R., Wineberg, K., MacLean, K. A., & Saron, C. D. (2019). Modulation of event-related potentials of visual discrimination by meditation training and sustained attention. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 31(8), 1184-1204. https://doi.org/10.1162/jocn_a_01419

45. Jha, A. P., Denkova, E., Zanesco, A. P., Witkin, J. E., Rooks, J., & Rogers, S. L. (2019). Does mindfulness training help working memory ‘work’ better? Current Opinion in Psychology, 28, 273-278. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2019.02.012

46. King, B. G., Conklin, Q. A., Zanesco, A. P., & Saron, C. D. (2019). Residential meditation retreats: their role in contemplative practice and significance for psychological research. Current Opinion in Psychology, 28, 238-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2018.12.021

47. Zanesco, A. P., Denkova, E., Rogers, S. L., MacNulty, W. K., & Jha, A. P. (2019). Mindfulness training as cognitive training in high-demand cohorts: An initial study in elite military servicemembers. Progress in Brain Research, 244, 323-254. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.pbr.2018.10.001

2018

48. Schmalzl, L., Powers, C., Zanesco, A. P., Yetz, N., Groessl, E. J., & Saron, C. D. (2018). The effect of movement-focused and breath-focused yoga practice on stress parameters and sustained attention. Consciousness and Cognition, 65, 109-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2018.07.012

49. Conklin, Q. A., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., Lin, J., Hamidi, A. B., Pokorny, J. J., Álvarez-López, M. J., Cosín-Tomás, M., Huang, C., Kaliman, P., Epel, E. S., & Saron, C. D. (2018). Insight meditation and telomere biology: the effects of intensive retreat and the moderating role of personality. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 70, 233-245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2018.03.003

50. Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., MacLean, K. A., & Saron, C. D. (2018). Cognitive aging and long-term maintenance of attentional improvements following meditation training. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 2, 259-275. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41465-018-0068-1

2017

51. Pokorny, J. J., Norman, A., Zanesco, A. P., Bauer-Wu, S., Sahdra, B. K., & Saron, C. D. (2017). Network analysis for the visualization and analysis of qualitative data. Psychological Methods, 23, 169-183. https://doi.org/10.1037/met0000129

2016

52. Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., MacLean, K. A., Jacobs, T. L., Aichele, S. R., Wallace, B. A., Smallwood, J., Schooler, J. W., & Saron, C. D. (2016). Meditation training influences mind wandering and mindless reading. Psychology of Consciousness: Theory, Research, and Practice, 3(1), 12-33. https://doi.org/10.1037/cns0000082

2015

53. Saggar, M., Zanesco, A. P., King, B. G., Bridwell, D. A., MacLean, K. A., Aichele, S. R., Jacobs, T. L., Wallace, B. A., Saron, C. D., & Mikkulainen, R. (2015). Mean-field thalamocortical modeling of longitudinal EEG acquired during intensive meditation training. NeuroImage, 114, 88-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.03.073 

54. Rosenberg E. L., Zanesco A. P., King, B. G., Aichele, S. R., Jacobs, T. L., Bridwell, D. A., Maclean, K. A., Shaver, P. R., Ferrer, E. L., Sahdra, B. K., Lavy, S., Wallace, B. A., & Saron, C. D. (2015). Intensive meditation training influences emotional responses to suffering. Emotion, 15(6), 775-790. https://doi.org/10.1037/emo0000080

2013

55. Zanesco A. P., King B. G., MacLean, K. A., & Saron, C. D. (2013). Executive control and felt concentrative engagement following intensive meditation training. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7:566. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00566

56. Jacobs, T. L., Shaver, P. R., Epel, E. S., Zanesco, A. P., Aichele, S. A., Bridwell, D. A., Rosenberg, E. L., King, B. G., Maclean, K. A., Sahdra, B. K., Kemeny, M. E., Ferrer, E., Wallace, B. A., & Saron, C. D. (2013). Self-reported mindfulness and cortisol dynamics during a Shamatha meditation retreat. Health Psychology, 10, 1104-1109. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0031362

2012

57. Saggar, M., King, B. G., Zanesco, A. P., MacLean, K. A., Aichele, S. R., Jacobs, T. L., Bridwell, D. A., Shaver, P. R., Rosenberg, E. L., Sahdra, B. K., Ferrer, E., Tang, A. C., Mangun, G. R., Wallace, B., Miikkulainen, R., & Saron C. D. (2012). Intensive training induces longitudinal changes in meditation state-related EEG oscillatory activity. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 6:256. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00256

2011

58. Jacobs, T. L., Epel, E. S., Lin, J., Blackburn, E. L., Wolkowitz, O. M., Bridwell, D. A., Zanesco, A. P., Aichele, S. R., Sahdra, B. K., MacLean, K. A., King, B. G., Shaver, P. R., Rosenberg, E. L, Ferrer, E., Wallace, B. A., & Saron, C. D. (2011). Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 36(5), 664-681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2010.09.010

59. Sahdra, B. K., MacLean, K. A., Ferrer, E., Shaver, P. R., Rosenberg, E. L., Jacobs, T. L., Zanesco, A. P., Aichele, S. R., King, B. G., Bridwell, D. A., Lavy, S., Mangun, G. R., Wallace, B. A., & Saron, C. D. (2011). Enhanced response inhibition during intensive meditation training predicts improvements in self-reported adaptive socioemotional functioning. Emotion, 11(2), 299-312. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022764

2010

60. MacLean, K. A., Ferrer, E., Aichele, S. R., Bridwell, D. A., Zanesco, A. P., Jacobs, T. L., King, B. G., Rosenberg, E. L., Sahdra, B. K., Shaver, P. R., Wallace, A. B., Mangun, G. R., & Saron, C. D. (2010). Intensive meditation training improves perceptual discrimination and sustained attention. Psychological Science, 21, 829-839. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610371339