[Hypnosis and pain perception].

Abstract

Improvement in functional neuroimaging allows researchers to disentangle the brain mechanisms involved in the pain modulation encountered during hypnosis. It has been shown that the anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices are important in the modulation of incoming sensory and noxious input. Moreover, clinical studies in certain types of surgery (eg thyroidectomy, mastectomy and plastic surgery) have demonstrated that hypnosis may avoid general anesthesia.