No Association Between Hypnotizability and Basal Ganglia Morphometry.
Eleonora Picerni, Fabrizio Piras, Daniela Laricchiuta, Debora Cutuli, Laura Petrosini, Enrica Laura Santarcangelo
Brain Sciences March 4, 2026 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci16030287 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 49 |
| Population | High hypnotizable individuals (N = 12) and low hypnotizables (N = 37) enrolled in a previous study focused on the cerebellum |
| Keywords | Voxel-based morphometry Basal ganglia Hypnotizability Individual differences |
| Key findings | No significant difference was found in grey matter volume of the caudate and pallidum between high and low hypnotizable individuals. The authors conclude that hypnotizability-related behavioral and physiological differences, and the responsiveness to hypnotic suggestions associated with insula and cerebellum variations, are not partly accounted for by basal ganglia structural differences. |
Abstract
Background: Hypnotizability is a psychophysiological trait measured by standardized scales whose scores indicate the proneness to modify perception, memory, and behavior according to specific suggestions, and to experience the hypnotic state. Hypnotizability exhibits physiological and behavioral correlates in the ordinary state of consciousness and brain morphological peculiarities. Among them, a reduced Grey Matter volume (GMV) of the insula and cerebellar lobules IV-VI has been observed in high hypnotizable individuals (highs) compared to low hypnotizables (lows). Theoretically, these structures could cooperate with the basal ganglia (BG) in hypnotizability-related sensorimotor and cognitive-emotional differences.
Methods: Since no imaging study has focused on the BG as a function of hypnotizability, the present research investigated the morphometric characteristics of the BG in the highs (N = 12) and lows (N = 37) enrolled in a previous study focused on the cerebellum.
Results: The results did not show any significant difference in the GMV of the caudate and pallidum.
Conclusions: Thus, the hypnotizability-related behavioral and physiological difference, as well as the responsiveness to hypnotic suggestions associated with the insula and cerebellum variations, are not partially accounted for by BG structural differences.