Sensory-motor cortex activity modulation by hypnotic susceptibility and hypnosis during finger movement

The aim of the experiment was to study whether the activity of the primary sensory-motor (S1/M1), supplementary motor (SMA) and pre-motor (PMA) areas during fingers movement is modulated by hypnotic susceptibility and hypnosis. Cortical activity was studied through functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) during a finger-to-thumb opposition task in awake (Highs) and hypnotized highly susceptible (H-Highs) as well as in awake non susceptible subjects (Lows). Results did not show any significant difference in sensory-motor areas activation between Highs and Lows (trait effect) and between Highs and H-Highs (state effect). The activation in 3 subjects among Highs and only 1 among Lows (out of 5) of the caudal S1, receiving the most part of the cutaneous input, appears noteworthy and prompts further investigation on possible hypnotizability-related differences in sensory-motor integration.