Abstract
This study investigated the size of, and relationship between, different modulatory effects of aversive stimulation on the acoustic startle reflex. This reflex is potentiated by shock exposure and associative shock conditioning (in animals and human volunteers) and unpleasant pictures (in human volunteers). In this study, dramatic sensitization of the probe-startle response was observed after shock exposure but not after a control task. Magnitude of sensitization was significantly larger than associative shock conditioning and picture modulation effects (also significant). Sensitization and conditioning scores showed modest, significant correlations with one another but not with picture modulation scores, consistent with animal data showing that partially overlapping brain mechanisms (i.e., amygdaloid-reticular projections) mediate these effects. The present results also indicate that sensitization of startle in human volunteers is a relatively more robust defensive response to aversive stimulation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
