Neurocognition under hypnosis: findings from recent functional neuroimaging studies.
Functional neuroimaging studies show that hypnosis affects attention by modulating anterior cingulate cortex activation and uncoupling conflict monitoring and cognitive control function. Considering functional changes in the activation of the occipital and temporal cortices, precuneus, and other extrastriate visual areas, which account for hypnosis-induced altered reality perception, the role of mental imagery areas appears to be central under hypnosis. This is further stressed by the fact that motor commands are processed differently in the normal conscious state, deviating toward the precuneus and extrastriate visual areas. Functional neuroimaging also shows that posthypnotic suggestions alter cognitive processes. Further research should investigate the effects of hypnosis on other executive functions and personality measures.
University of Rome La Sapienza, School of Medicine and Psychology, NESMOS Department (Neurosciences, MentalHealth, and Sensory Organs), Saint Andrea Hospital, Via di Grottarossa 1035-1039, 00189 Rome, Italy. antonio.delcasale@uniroma1.it
Antonio
A
Del Casale
Stefano
S
Ferracuti
Chiara
C
Rapinesi
Daniele
D
Serata
Gabriele
G
Sani
Valeria
V
Savoja
Georgios D
GD
Kotzalidis
Roberto
R
Tatarelli
Paolo
P
Girardi
D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D059907:Functional Neuroimaging; D006179:Gyrus Cinguli / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D009044:Motor Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D009778:Occipital Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000502:physiology