title: Auditory startle reflex inhibited by preceding self-action.
abstract: A startle reflex to a startle pulse is inhibited when preceded by a prestimulus. We introduced a key-press action (self-action) or an 85 dB noise burst as a prestimulus, followed by a 115 dB noise burst as a startle pulse. We manipulated temporal offsets between the prestimulus and the startle pulse from 30-1,500 ms to examine whether self-action modulates the startle reflex and the temporal properties of the modulatory effect. We assessed eyeblink reflexes by electromyography. Both prestimuli decreased reflexes compared to pulse-alone trials. Moreover, the temporal windows of inhibition were different between the types of prestimuli. A faster maximal inhibition and narrower temporal window in self-action trials suggest that preceding self-action inhibits the startle reflex and allows prediction of the coming pulse in different ways from auditory prestimuli.
authors.affiliation: Kansei Fukushi Research Institute, Tohoku Fukushi University, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: Yousuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawachi
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsue
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Imaizumi
authors.forename: Jiro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gyoba
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000328:Adult; D001767:Blinking / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Prepulse inhibition; Self-action; Temporal window