Biomedical subjects

William J Ray

Publications and source records attributed to William J Ray.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Temporal aspects of hypnotic processes.

The authors examine the cortical processes underlying the process of hypnosis, especially as related to the temporal appearance of specific waveforms in relation to pain. Nonhypnotic pain research suggests that in terms of temporal processing early EEG components are more sensory in nature, and later components are of a more emotional or evaluative nature. In the present work, the authors report that the influence of hypnosis is less on the EEG components associated with the initial sensory experience itself and more on the later components that carry with them rich cognitive/emotional information. The research reviewed in this paper clearly suggests an inhibitory process for the high susceptible individuals associated with the hypnotic analgesia.

Brain↗

PubMed2003

Brain imaging techniques.

In the last decade, functional brain imaging techniques ranging from fMRI to PET to EEG have added to understanding the mechanisms involved in cognitive, affective, and motoric processes. More recently, as demonstrated by papers in a variety of neuroscience journals, the hypnotic experience and its modulation of critical human processes such as pain have added hypnotic procedures to the experimental techniques available for the neuroscience community. For this interplay to be manifested, it is critical that readers understand brain imaging procedures and the types of questions they can and cannot answer. In this spirit, the present article is an overview of the major brain imaging techniques available to a researcher interested in hypnosis.

Brain↗

PubMed2003

Evolutionary approaches to understanding the hypnotic experience.

Using Tinbergen's 4 why questions of causation, development, evolution, and function, the authors examine hypnosis from a larger, evolutionary perspective. Reasoning by analogy, they seek to view hypnosis in terms of an action pattern that represents a self-contained behavioral program although not as rigid as seen in lower organisms. In humans, such a program develops within the context of a long developmental sequence emphasizing social connections, imitation of significant figures, and the use of linguistic symbols to regulate both internal and external processes and actions. In terms of a mechanism, the authors speculate on the involvement of the cingulate cortex in achieving in hypnosis the experience of autonomous actions or analgesic sensory processes. Finally, they point to the fact that hypnotizability is associated with an ability to reduce the experience of pain, modulate the immune system, and achieve greater benefits of psychosocial therapies as a functional significance of the hypnotic experience.

Biological Evolution↗

PubMed2002

High resolution EEG indicators of pain responses in relation to hypnotic susceptibility and suggestion.

In this report we use a dense array (129 electrodes) EEG procedure to examine the effects of hypnotic susceptibility and hypnotic suggestions on electrocortical and self-report measures of painful stimuli. Self-report and event-related potential measures of six high and six low hypnotic susceptible individuals in response to pain were examined during an initial baseline condition and following a standard hypnotic induction under suggestions to either increase (hyperalgesia) or decrease (hypoalgesia) the painful stimulation. Our results show that high and low hypnotically susceptible individuals: (1) show few self-report or psychophysiological differences in response to baseline pain stimuli; (2) report differential pain experiences depending on hypnotic suggestions and (3) display differential psychophysiological indicators following an hypnotic induction with a suggestion of hypoalgesia. Overall, the findings suggest that hypnotic suggestions with high susceptible individuals modulate the later components of the evoked potential in a global manner and point up the importance of using both high and low hypnotically susceptible individuals preceding and following an hypnotic induction.

Adult↗