title: Translational value of startle modulations.
abstract: The startle is a relatively simple ubiquitous reflex. Interestingly, it has a "non-zero baseline", i.e., its magnitude can be reduced or enhanced. We reflect here on the translational value of prepulse inhibition and fear-related potentiation as endophenotypes that can be used for the investigation of complex psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and anxiety-related disorders. Our main conclusions are that both phenomena of startle modulation are useful tools for basic research in investigating the genetic and/or neurobiological basis of certain aspects of these disorders. Because of their stable and robust nature, however, both biomarkers are of limited use for predicting the occurrence of diseases in high-risk people or for predicting the course of an illness.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipziger Strasse 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany, markus.fendt@med.ovgu.de.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fendt
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical