Delta coherence in resting-state EEG predicts the reduction in cigarette craving after hypnotic aversion suggestions

Cigarette craving is a key contributor of nicotine addiction. Hypnotic aversion suggestions have been used to help smoking cessation and reduce smoking relapse rates but its neural basis is poorly understood. This study investigated the underlying neural basis of hypnosis treatment for nicotine addiction with resting state Electroencephalograph (EEG) coherence as the measure. The sample consisted of 42 male smokers. Cigarette craving was measured by the Tobacco Craving Questionnaire. The 8-minute resting state EEG was recorded in baseline state and after hypnotic induction in the hypnotic state. Then a smoking disgust suggestion was performed. A significant increase in EEG coherence in delta and theta frequency, and significant decrease in alpha and beta frequency, between the baseline and the hypnotic state was found, which may reflect alterations in consciousness after hypnotic induction. More importantly, the delta coherence between the right frontal region and the left posterior region predicted cigarette craving reduction after hypnotic aversion suggestions. This suggests that the functional connectivity between these regions plays an important role in reducing cigarette cravings via hypnotic aversion suggestions. Thus, these brain regions may serve as an important target to treat nicotine addiction, such as stimulating these brain regions via repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation.