Neuroradiological Insights into Hypnosis: A Systematic Review of MRI and PET Studies
Objective:
To systematically review MRI and PET neuroimaging studies examining the neurocircuitry associated with hypnotic phenomena.
Background:
Hypnotherapy is an established therapeutic modality used to treat a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, including functional neurological disorders, headaches, and sleep disorders. Despite its clinical utility, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying its effects remain poorly understood. Over the past decade, neuroradiological studies have made significant strides in illuminating the neuroscience behind hypnosis. However, these studies are scattered and lack comprehensive synthesis. This systematic review aims to consolidate existing neuroradiological evidence to improve the understanding of hypnosis’s mechanisms of action in the brain.
Design/Methods:
This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The databases searched included Embase (via Elsevier), PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Peer-reviewed studies published between June 2014 and June 2024 that focused on neuroradiological findings related to hypnosis were included.
Results:
Preliminary analysis identified 16 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Neuroimaging findings consistently revealed alterations in brain activity in regions associated with attention, decision-making, and sense of agency, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, anterior insula, and ventromedial prefrontal cortex. Notably, fMRI studies showed increased connectivity between regions involved in cognitive control and emotional regulation during hypnotic states. PET scans also demonstrated changes in glucose metabolism corresponding to hypnotic suggestions. Despite variations in the specific brain regions identified across studies, three key cognitive networks emerged consistently: the Central Executive Network (CEN), Salience Network (SN), and Default Mode Network (DMN), which appear central to the modulation of hypnotic processes.
Conclusions:
The findings suggest that hypnosis is mediated by the complex interaction of multiple cognitive networks rather than the isolated function of specific brain regions. This underscores the importance of adopting network-based approaches to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms underlying hypnosis.
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