Fig. 1

Psycho-neurobiological mechanism of CFs. The image displays how CFs are capable to influence the brain networks, neurochemistry and therapeutic outcome. The principal neural areas and neurotransmitters involved in placebo and nocebo effects are reported. Abbreviation: rACC = Rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex; DLPFC = Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex; PAG = Periaqueductal gray