Acoustic and Temporal Factors in the Evocation of Startle

DOI PDF 被引用文献3件

抄録

<jats:p>Several acoustic and temporal variables responsible for the elicitation of the rat's startle reaction were examined by measuring the subject's overt movement under each of a variety of stimulus conditions. When startle was repeatedly evoked, the response decreased in amplitude, but adaptation was slow and was not complete after 675 stimulus presentations. The threshold for startle evocation increased with repeated stimulation, but partial recovery occurred during interpolated rest periods. Startle reactions were amplified when testing occurred in a background of steady noise, but the effect was independent of the frequency components of the background stimulation. Moreover, although a relatively weak signal could inhibit the reaction to a subsequently presented intense signal, the effect was independent of the frequency characteristics of either signal. Finally, it was found that relatively weak signals could either inhibit the startle reaction to a subsequently presented intense signal or reduce response latency, depending upon the temporal relationships between the two signals. It was concluded that weak signals can activate the neural mechanisms responsible for the startle reaction, and that the occurrence of acoustic startle along with its associated inhibitory and facilitory effects is dependent upon the sensation levels of the signals, but not upon their frequency characteristics.</jats:p>

収録刊行物

被引用文献 (3)*注記

もっと見る

キーワード

詳細情報 詳細情報について

問題の指摘

ページトップへ