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Functional neuroanatomy of hypnotic state
P Maquet1, M E Faymonville, C Degueldre
1Cyclotron Research Center (CRC), University of Liège, Belgium.
Biological Psychiatry
|February 19, 1999
Summary
Hypnotic state (HS) involves widespread brain activation, particularly in left-sided cortical areas. This pattern differs from memory recall and resembles mental imagery, with reduced precuneus activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Brain Imaging
Background:
- Understanding the neural correlates of altered states of consciousness is crucial.
- The hypnotic state (HS) represents a unique state of consciousness.
- Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) provides insights into brain activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the distribution of regional cerebral blood flow during the hypnotic state in humans.
- To compare brain activity during hypnosis with normal alertness using neuroimaging.
Main Methods:
- Positron-emission tomography (PET) with H215O infusions was employed.
- Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM95) was used for data analysis.
- Nine subjects underwent polygraphic monitoring during scanning.
Main Results:
- Hypnotic state (HS) showed widespread cortical activation, predominantly in left-sided areas.
- Activated regions included occipital, parietal, precentral, premotor, and ventrolateral prefrontal cortices.
- Right-sided activation was observed in occipital and anterior cingulate cortices.
Conclusions:
- The brain activation pattern during HS differs from simple autobiographical memory recall.
- Hypnotic state shares similarities with mental imagery.
- A relative deactivation of the precuneus distinguished HS from mental imagery.