Abstract
Background: Modulation of the acoustic startle response is a simple and objective
indicator of emotionality and attention in rodents and humans. This finding has proven
extremely valuable for analysis of neural systems associated with fear and anxiety.
Until recently, there have been few efforts to develop acoustic startle measurement
in nonhuman primates. We report here development of a whole-body acoustic startle
protocol in rhesus monkeys.
Methods: Eight juvenile rhesus monkeys were tested in a new whole-body (somatic) acoustic
startle protocol. Startle responses were assessed in three paradigms: 1) stimulus
intensity-response amplitude, 2) prepulse inhibition (PPI), and 3) fear-potentiated
startle.
Results: Initial studies revealed that the amplitude of whole-body startle in monkeys,
as in rodents and humans, is directly proportional to acoustic stimulus intensity
and gradually habituates with repeated exposures. Presentation of a weak acoustic
stimulus 45–2020 msec before a startle stimulus reduces startle amplitude by 40%–50%,
depending on interstimulus interval length (PPI). We have also measured significant
potentiated startle amplitude in the presence of a visual stimulus after pairing it
with an inescapable pulse of pressurized air (fear-potentiated startle).
Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that acoustic startle in nonhuman primates successfully
bridges rodent and human research in two broad areas: stimulus-response relationships
and behavioral plasticity represented by habituation, PPI, and fear potentiation.
The opportunity now emerges to link concepts developed in rodents to the more complex
neuroanatomical and cognitive processes common to monkeys and humans.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
January 27,
2002
Received in revised form:
January 15,
2002
Received:
August 27,
2001
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
