PLACEBO AND NOCEBO IN NEUROLOGICAL DISEASES: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Abstract

Placebo and nocebo behaviors are very common in brain disorders. Through positive or negative expectations, placebo and nocebo contribute to patients’ adherence to medication. This review aims to highlight the various mechanisms and neuronal circuits that control placebo and nocebo, to present published data showing the magnitude of the placebo and nocebo response in primary headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia and to suggest interventions for everyday clinical practice that may increase placebo and reduce nocebo.