What is the acoustic startle response?

The acoustic startle response (ASR) is muscular activity produced reflexively in response to a sudden loud sound. The ASR is evolutionarily conserved across mammals (Braff et al. 2001) but is measured in various ways, depending on the species.

How do you measure acoustic startle response?

In general, 100- to 120-dB sound stimuli are used as the startling stimulus to measure the acoustic startle response (ASR), and an acoustic prepulse is presented at an intensity of 4–16 dB above a continuous background noise, e.g., 70-dB white noise, to evaluate PPI of the ASR.

What is the blink startle response?

One of the most reliable components of human defence is the eye-blink reflex, a rapid and intense contraction of the orbicularis muscle in response to a startling stimulus (typically a loud noise).

How do I reduce startle reflex?

How can I keep my infant from getting startled?

1. Keep your baby close to your body when laying them down. Keep them close for as long as possible as you lay them down. Gently release your baby only after their back is touching the mattress.
2. Swaddle your baby. This will make them feel safe and secure.

What is the role of the acoustic startle reflex?

Acoustic startle reflex. The role of the BNST in the acoustic startle reflex may be attributed to specific areas within the nucleus responsible for stress and anxiety responses. Activation of the BNST by certain hormones is thought to promote a startle response The auditory pathway for this response was largely elucidated in rats in the 1980s.

What is the role of the BNST in the startle reflex?

The role of the BNST in the acoustic startle reflex may be attributed to specific areas within the nucleus responsible for stress and anxiety responses. Activation of the BNST by certain hormones is thought to promote a startle response The auditory pathway for this response was largely elucidated in rats in the 1980s.

What is the origin of the startle reflex?

Usually the onset of the startle response is reflectory. The startle reflex is a brainstem reflectory reaction that serves to protect the back of the neck (whole-body startle), or the eye (eyeblink), and also facilitates escape from sudden stimuli. It is found across the lifespan and in many species.

What causes a person to have a startle response?

In animals, including humans, the startle response is a largely unconscious defensive response to sudden or threatening stimuli, such as sudden noise or sharp movement, and is associated with negative affect. Usually the onset of the startle response is a startle reflex reaction.