Changes in autonomic and EEG patterns induced by hypnotic imagination of aversive stimuli in man

Autonomic and electroencephalographic (EEG) responses to aversive stimuli p resented by means of hypnotic suggestion have been studied in man. Healthy volunteers with simple phobia were screened for susceptibility to hypnosis. The experimental paradigm included periods of rest during which the hypnot ized subjects were asked to produce an emotionally neutral mental image and periods of emotional activation in which they were asked to image a phobic object. Heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (RF) and EEG were processed to obtain the HR-related indexes of sympatho-vagal balance and the EEG spe ctral components. The results showed a significant increase in HR and RF wi th a shift of the sympatho-vagal indexes towards a sympathetic predominance during the hypnotic emotional activation. EEG activity showed a significan t increase in the gamma band with a left fronto-central prevalence. There w as also a less pronounced increase in the beta band. In conclusion, by mean s of hypnosis, autonomic and behavioral responses to fear-like stimuli can be induced in man in a reproducible and controlled manner. Such a paradigm could be applied in human neuroimaging studies to identify central nervous structures that modulate stress and fear-related reactions. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Inc.