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Changes in mismatch negativity across pre-hypnosis, hypnosis and post-hypnosis conditions distinguish high from low
Graham A Jamieson1, Prabudha Dwivedi, John H Gruzelier
1Imperial College London, UK. gjamieso@pobox.une.edu.au
Abstract:
The role of alterations in mismatch negativity (MMN) in hypnosis was examined by recording MMN of the auditory ERP at frontal (F3, Fz, and F4) and mastoid (M1 and M2) placements. Frontal MMN is believed to reflect activity in right anterior cortical generators, whereas MMN at mastoid leads reflects generators located bilaterally in the temporal auditory cortex. MMN recordings were obtained in 11 low and 12 high hypnotically susceptible participants in three successive blocks; pre-hypnosis, hypnosis and post-hypnosis. Frontal (but not temporal) MMN showed a significant quadratic trend across testing conditions. It increased during hypnosis and then dropped post-hypnosis for both susceptibility groups. Linear trends for frontal and temporal MMN showed directly opposite patterns of change in the interaction between hypnotic susceptibility and testing blocks. Frontal MMN built up linearly over the test blocks in high relative to low susceptibility participants. Temporal MMN showed the reverse pattern and increased linearly across test conditions in those with low relative to high hypnotic susceptibility.
Insights
Hypnosis alters mismatch negativity (MMN) brain responses, particularly in frontal areas. These changes vary based on hypnotic susceptibility, offering insights into the neuroscience of hypnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychophysiology
Background:
- Mismatch negativity (MMN) is an auditory event-related potential (ERP) reflecting early automatic auditory change detection.
- MMN generation involves frontal and temporal cortical sources, with frontal MMN linked to right anterior generators and mastoid MMN to bilateral temporal generators.
- Hypnotic susceptibility is a stable trait influencing cognitive and perceptual experiences during hypnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of alterations in MMN in hypnosis.
- To examine how MMN is affected by hypnotic states across different levels of hypnotic susceptibility.
- To differentiate the neural generators of MMN by analyzing frontal and temporal MMN responses.
Main Methods:
- MMN was recorded using electroencephalography (EEG) at frontal (F3, Fz, F4) and mastoid (M1, M2) placements.
- Participants included 11 low and 12 high hypnotically susceptible individuals.
- Data were collected in three blocks: pre-hypnosis, during hypnosis, and post-hypnosis.
Main Results:
- Frontal MMN exhibited a significant quadratic trend, increasing during hypnosis and decreasing post-hypnosis for both susceptibility groups.
- Temporal MMN did not show this quadratic trend.
- A significant interaction between hypnotic susceptibility and testing blocks was observed: frontal MMN increased linearly over blocks in high vs. low susceptible individuals, while temporal MMN showed the opposite pattern.
Conclusions:
- Frontal MMN, associated with right anterior cortical activity, is sensitive to hypnotic states.
- The distinct patterns of MMN changes in frontal and temporal regions suggest differential involvement of neural networks in hypnosis.
- Hypnotic susceptibility modulates the neurophysiological changes in MMN during hypnotic induction and termination.
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