[Changes in regional cortical blood flow in hypnosis]

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured by means of the 133-Xenon inhalation method in 12 healthy male volunteers experienced in self-hypnosis for several months. During a well performed levitation of the right arm in hypnosis as compared to resting conditions, we found a global increase of cortical blood flow and a regional activation of temporal areas; the latter finding is considered to reflect acoustical attention. In addition, a so far unexplained desactivation of inferior temporal areas was observed during successful self-hypnosis and hypnosis. While there was a global absolute increase of cortical blood flow bilaterally, we could not observe a relative increase of the right as compared to the left hemisphere during hypnosis. Several subjects successfully performed the levitation of the right arm, despite a relative left hemispheric activation, provided the absolute right hemispheric activation remained dominant.