Structural and functional correlates of hypnotic depth and suggestibility

McGeown, William Jonathan; Mazzoni, Giuliana; Vannucci, Manila; Venneri, Annalena

Abstract

This study explores whether self-reported depth of hypnosis and hypnotic suggestibility are associated with individual differences in neuroanatomy and/or levels of functional connectivity. Twenty-nine people varying in suggestibility were recruited and underwent structural, and after a hypnotic induction, functional magnetic resonance imaging at rest. We used voxel-based morphometry to assess the correlation of grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) against the independent variables: depth of hypnosis, level of relaxation and hypnotic suggestibility. Functional networks identified with independent components analysis were regressed with the independent variables. Hypnotic depth ratings were positively correlated with GM volume in the frontal cortex and the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Hypnotic suggestibility was positively correlated with GM volume in the left temporal-occipital cortex. Relaxation ratings did not correlate significantly with GM volume and none of the independent variables correlated with regional WM volume measures. Self-reported deeper levels of hypnosis were associated with less connectivity within the anterior default mode network. Taken together, the results suggest that the greater GM volume in the medial frontal cortex and ACC, and lower connectivity in the DMN during hypnosis facilitate experiences of greater hypnotic depth. The patterns of results suggest that hypnotic depth and hypnotic suggestibility should not be considered synonyms.

Citation

McGeown, W. J., Mazzoni, G., Vannucci, M., & Venneri, A. (2015). Structural and functional correlates of hypnotic depth and suggestibility. Neuroimaging. Psychiatry research, 231(2), 151-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.11.015

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 25, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Dec 6, 2014
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Deposit Date: Apr 30, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 30, 2015
• Journal: Psychiatry research: neuroimaging
• Print ISSN: 0925-4927
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 231
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 151-159
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2014.11.015
• Keywords: Hypnosis, Susceptibility, Voxel-based morphometry, Grey matter, White matter, Functional connectivity
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/373252
• Publisher URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925492714003126
• Additional Information: This is the accepted manuscript of an article published by Elsevier.
• Contract Date: Apr 30, 2015