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Modulation of the heartbeat evoked cortical potential by hypnotizability and hypnosis.
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  • Alejandro Callara,
  • Lorenzo Fontanelli,
  • Iacopo Belcari,
  • Gianluca Rho,
  • Alberto Greco,
  • Žan Zelič,
  • LAURA SEBASTIANI,
  • Enrica Santarcangelo
Alejandro Callara
University of Pisa
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Lorenzo Fontanelli
University of Pisa
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Iacopo Belcari
University of Pisa
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Gianluca Rho
University of Pisa
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Alberto Greco
University of Pisa
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Žan Zelič
University of Pisa
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LAURA SEBASTIANI
Università degli Studi di Pisa

Corresponding Author:laura.sebastiani@unipi.it

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Enrica Santarcangelo
University of Pisa
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Abstract

Hypnotizability is a psychophysiological trait measured by scales and associated with several differences including interoceptive accuracy and the morpho-functional characteristics of interoception-related brain regions. The aim of the study was to assess whether the amplitude of the heartbeat evoked cortical potential (HEP), a correlate of interoceptive accuracy, differs in participants with low (lows) and high (highs) hypnotizability scores (assessed by the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, form A) before and after the induction of hypnosis. ECG and EEG were monitored in 16 highs and 15 lows during an experimental session including open eyes baseline (B), closed eyes relaxation (R), hypnotic induction (IND), neutral hypnosis (NH), post session baseline (Post). No significant difference was observed between groups and conditions in autonomic variables. The HEP amplitude was lower in highs than in lows at the right parietal site, likely due to hypnotizability-related differences in the functional connection between the right insula and parietal cortex. It increased in highs and decreased in lows across the session, possibly due to the highs’ preeminently internally directed attention and to the lows’ possible disengagement from the task. Since interoception is involved in several cognitive-emotional functions, its hypnotizability-related differences may contribute to the variability of experience and behavior in daily life.
16 Jan 2023Submitted to Psychophysiology
18 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
18 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
18 Jan 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
19 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
07 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Mar 20231st Revision Received
07 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Accept