Menstrual cycle phase effects on prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle.
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) represents an attenuation of the startle reflex following the presentation of a weak prepulse at brief intervals prior to the startle eliciting pulse. It has been shown that increases in striatal dopamine levels decrease PPI; because dopamine release is sensitive to estrogen, it is likely that PPI varies across the menstrual cycle. Cross-sectional studies looking at estrogen effects suggest that this may be true. In this study, we compare effects of menstrual phase on PPI in a between-group design (men, follicular phase women, and luteal phase women) as well as a within-subjects design (women across the two phases). The study found a between-group as well as a within-subjects effect of phase on PPI. PPI in follicular phase women did not differ significantly from PPI in men. However, PPI was reduced in luteal women compared to follicular women. These data provide evidence that ovarian hormones affect sensorimotor gating.
Jovanovic
Tanja
T
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. tjovano@emory.edu
Szilagyi
Sandor
S
Chakravorty
Subhajit
S
Fiallos
Ana M
AM
Lewison
Barbara J
BJ
Parwani
Arti
A
Schwartz
Marion P
MP
Gonzenbach
Stephen
S
Rotrosen
John P
JP
Duncan
Erica J
EJ
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology*