title: Whole-body prepulse inhibition protocol to test sensorymotor gating mechanisms in monkeys.
abstract: Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is the decrease of startle reflex amplitude when a slight stimulus is previously generated. This paradigm may provide valuable information about sensorimotor gating functionality. Here we aimed at determining the inhibited and uninhibited startle response of capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp.), and to evaluate the role of the superior colliculus in PPI. Capuchin monkeys were tested in a whole-body protocol, to determine the best startle amplitude and interstimuli interval. Additionally we tested two subjects with bilateral superior colliculus damage in this protocol. Results show that 115 dB auditory pulse has induced the best startle response. In contrast to reports in other species, no habituation to the auditory stimuli was observed here in capuchins. Also, startle reflex inhibition was optimal after 120 msec interstimuli interval. Finally, there was a downward tendency of percentage inhibition in superior colliculus-lesioned monkeys. Our data provides the possibility of further studies with whole-body protocol in capuchin monkeys and reinforces the importance of the superior colliculus in PPI.
authors.affiliation: Primate Center and Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Saletti
authors.affiliation: Primate Center and Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rafael S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Maior
authors.affiliation: System Emotional Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors.forename: Etsuro
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hori
authors.affiliation: Large Animal Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ricardo Miyasaka de
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: System Emotional Science, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishijo
authors.affiliation: Primate Center and Laboratory of Neurosciences and Behavior, Department of Physiological Sciences, Institute of Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tomaz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D000882:Haplorhini; D008297:Male; D065808:Prepulse Inhibition / Q000502:physiology*; D013216:Reflex, Startle / Q000502:physiology; D055139:Sensory Gating / Q000502:physiology*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology