Neural Correlates of Self

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Despite the increasing popularity of mindfulness meditation and hypnosis in healthcare and in the general community the underlying neurobiological mechanisms are unclear. The change in the relationship between the self and the conscious experience that they bring about may be crucial. This study aims to identify the neural correlates of self-consciousness in meta-awareness and absorption - using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) in healthy participants combined with detailed first-person experiential accounts and behavioural tasks. This study will provide important clues about the widely reported effects of mindfulness meditation and hypnosis and shed light on the neural correlates of the conscious experience of self.

Official Title
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The Neural Correlates of the  Self  in Altered States of Consciousness

Conditions
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Healthy Volunteers

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: control, meditation, hypnosis.


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: aged 18-70 Body mass index between 18.5 and 30 Covered by health insurance motivated to participate signed informed consent normal or corrected-to-normal eyesight sufficient command of French to be able to follow the instructions Exclusion Criteria: history of neurological or psychiatric conditions chronic pain or another medical condition altering pain perception use of medication that affects the central nervous system use of opioids or antidepressant medication severe auditory loss consumption of alcohol or intoxicants on the day of the experiments and the day preceding the experiments pregnancy, breastfeeding or having given birth <6months ago any contra-indication to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (metal implants or foreign bodies), agitation, claustrophobia

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Group 1<br>three instructions will be given to each participant: control, meditation, hypnosis. The order of meditation and hypnosis will be randomized amongst two groups to avoid order effects. | Behavioral: control, meditation, hypnosis.<br>* three instructions will be given to each participant: control, meditation, hypnosis. The order of meditation and hypnosis will be randomized amongst two groups to avoid order effects.<br>|
| Experimental: Group 2<br>three instructions will be given to each participant: control, meditation, hypnosis. The order of meditation and hypnosis will be randomized amongst two groups to avoid order effects. | Behavioral: control, meditation, hypnosis.<br>* three instructions will be given to each participant: control, meditation, hypnosis. The order of meditation and hypnosis will be randomized amongst two groups to avoid order effects.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reaction time (minutes) | reaction times during behavioural tasks. | at day 1 | 
| Brain activation with IRM | Activation of different brain areas, as measured with functional Magnetic Resonance | At day 3 | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| personality trait with questionnaires | scores on different personality questionnaires | at day 2 | 
| Scores during behavioural tasks | scores on likert scale (1-5 and 1-9) about intensity of the stimui presented during the task | at day 1 | 
| Scores during behavioural tasks | scores on likert scale (1-5 and 1-9) about intensity of the stimui presented during the task | at day 3 | 
| salivary volume (millimeter) | salivary volume after behavioural tasks | at day 1 | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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mindfulness meditation, hypnosis, meta-awareness, absorption, consciousness, self