title: The brain under self-control: modulation of inhibitory and monitoring cortical networks during hypnotic paralysis.
abstract: Brain mechanisms of hypnosis are poorly known. Cognitive accounts proposed that executive attentional systems may cause selective inhibition or disconnection of some mental operations. To assess motor and inhibitory brain circuits during hypnotic paralysis, we designed a go-no-go task while volunteers underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in three conditions: normal state, hypnotic left-hand paralysis, and feigned paralysis. Preparatory activation arose in right motor cortex despite left hypnotic paralysis, indicating preserved motor intentions, but with concomitant increases in precuneus regions that normally mediate imagery and self-awareness. Precuneus also showed enhanced functional connectivity with right motor cortex. Right frontal areas subserving inhibition were activated by no-go trials in normal state and by feigned paralysis, but irrespective of motor blockade or execution during hypnosis. These results suggest that hypnosis may enhance self-monitoring processes to allow internal representations generated by the suggestion to guide behavior but does not act through direct motor inhibition.
authors: Department of Neuroscience, University Medical School, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. yann.cojan@unige.ch
authors: Yann
authors: Y
authors: Cojan
authors: Lakshmi
authors: L
authors: Waber
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Schwartz
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Rossier
authors: Alain
authors: A
authors: Forster
authors: Patrik
authors: P
authors: Vuilleumier
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001288:Attention; D001931:Brain Mapping; D003657:Decision Making / Q000502:physiology; D007839:Functional Laterality / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000503:physiopathology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012649:Self Concept
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen