Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle eyeblink occurs whenever a non-startling prepulse precedes a startling stimulus by about 800 Milliseconds (ms) or less. Under such conditions, the magnitude of the startling reflex is greatly reduced. Current explanation of this phenomenon suggests that the inhibition of the startling reflex is meant to protect the perceptual analysis of the prepulse. The purpose of this research project is to examine the validity of this explanation. Three experiments are proposed, the first two will directly test the validity of this explanation by examining the extent to which the processing of a prepulse is affected by a subsequent startling stimulus. The third experiment will examine whether the phenomenon holds across modalities. Together, this project should provide a better understanding of the functional significance of the prepulse inhibition and help explain why a large number of clinical populations, such as schizophrenics, hyperactive children, and aged adults, do not exhibit this inhibitory phenomenon.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Small Research Grants (R03)
Project #
1R03MH055043-01
Application #
2255483
Study Section
Perception and Cognition Review Committee (PEC)
Project Start
1995-09-01
Project End
1997-08-31
Budget Start
1995-09-01
Budget End
1996-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1995
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Kansas
Department
Other Health Professions
Type
Schools of Allied Health Profes
DUNS #
016060860
City
Kansas City
State
KS
Country
United States
Zip Code
66160
Filion, D L; Dawson, M E; Schell, A M (1998) The psychological significance of human startle eyeblink modification: a review. Biol Psychol 47:1-43