Cellular Analysis of the Startle Reflex
Abstract
In the ASSERT Award we are interested in how dopamine agonists affect baseline startle amplitude as well as the phenomenon of pre-pulse inhibition. To test this, we have been recording the compound action potential generated by an auditory stimulus at the level of the cochlear nucleus in freely moving rats using a bundle of four previously implanted 25 micrometers nichrome wires. Each of the dopamine agonists increased the amplitude of the auditory nerve response (Nl component, latency =0.75 msec - Meloni and Davis, 1993). This effect is larger following repeated administration of d-amphetamine on each of 7 days, indicating that is shows sensitization. This suggests that dopamine agonists ultimately can alter processes at the very beginning of the auditory system, which we believe may have considerable relevance for dopamine-induced disruption of auditory prepulse inhibition as well as auditory distractibility and even auditory hallucinations in people.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA278243
Entities
People
- Michael S. Davis
Organizations
- Yale University