title: Parametric exploration of the fear-inhibited light reflex.
abstract: The effect of various parameters on the mediation of the fear-inhibited light reflex was examined. The light reflexes of 16 healthy men were measured across four light probe intensities, either in the presence of white noise alone or when the white noise was associated with the threat of either an electric shock or an acoustic sound blast. The white noise alone did not affect the light reflex amplitude. Both types of threat were subjectively anxiogenic and inhibited the light reflex across all light probe intensities, the threat of shock being more potent than the threat of sound blast. Importantly, the effect of either type of threat on the light reflex amplitude was found to increase with increasing light probe intensity, suggesting that brighter light probes may become more relevant motivationally in the threat condition, thus attracting greater allocation of attentional/cognitive resources.
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors: Eugenia
authors: E
authors: Hourdaki
authors: Stella G
authors: SG
authors: Giakoumaki
authors: Vangelis
authors: V
authors: Grinakis
authors: Katerina
authors: K
authors: Theou
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Karataraki
authors: Panos
authors: P
authors: Bitsios
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D012025:Reflex, Pupillary / Q000502:physiology; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology*