Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Sympathetic Activation

Sympathetic Activation

The sympathetic division can influence tissues and organs by releasing norepinephrine at peripheral synapses and distributing epinephrine and norepinephrine through the bloodstream. In times of crisis or stress, sympathetic activation occurs, which is regulated by sympathetic centers in the hypothalamus. As a result, sympathetic activation prepares the body for physical exertion, rapid ATP production, and heightened alertness, allowing individuals to respond effectively to challenging or...

Hyperpnea and Hyperventilation

Hyperpnea and Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation refers to a higher-than-normal rate and depth of breathing, often associated with anxiety attacks. This excessive breathing surpasses the body's need to expel CO2, leading to a condition known as hypocapnia - an unusually low level of carbon dioxide in the blood. Hypocapnia can constrict cerebral blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the brain, which may result in dizziness or fainting. Early signs include tingling and muscle spasms in the hands and face, caused by falling...

Allergic Reactions

Allergic Reactions

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, is a...

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects

While local anesthetics are generally safe and well-tolerated, they can occasionally cause adverse effects that vary in severity. Local anesthetics can induce toxicity at two distinct levels. They can either produce local effects through direct contact with the neural elements or be absorbed into the bloodstream from the injection site, leading to systemic effects.
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...

Preparedness and Phobias

Preparedness and Phobias

Human fear responses to certain stimuli, such as darkness, heights, deep water, and blood, can often arise despite the absence of direct negative experiences. This phenomenon is rooted in evolutionary psychology, which posits that humans have developed a predisposition to fear stimuli that historically posed significant survival threats. This predisposition, known as preparedness, suggests that early humans who developed a fear of potentially dangerous entities, such as venomous snakes and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Enhanced broad-band intermuscular coherence in myoclonus: a targeted characterization study.

Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·2026

Same author

Hand-Specific Engagement of Cerebello-Thalamo-Cortical and Higher-Order Sensorimotor Networks in Essential Tremor: Converging Evidence From GLM and MVPA-Based fMRI Analysis.

European journal of neurology·2026

Same author

Machine learning based EMG analysis of intermuscular coherence and cumulant density in tremor and myoclonus.

Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology·2026

Same author

Discrepancies between patient-reported and physician-reported severity and disability in functional and non-functional movement disorders.

Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry·2026

Same author

An 18-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET study in <i>SGCE</i> positive and negative myoclonus-dystonia.

Brain communications·2026

Same author

Accelerated Split-Belt Gait Adaptation in Patients with Functional Tremor: Clues to a Generalized Precipitating Trait?

Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Habituation and Prepulse Inhibition of Acoustic Startle in Rodents

Habituation and Prepulse Inhibition of Acoustic Startle in Rodents

Published on: September 1, 2011

Exaggerated startle reactions.

Yasmine E M Dreissen¹, Mirte J Bakker, Johannes H T M Koelman

¹Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Clinical Neurophysiology : Official Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology

|October 29, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The startle reflex, originating in the brainstem, involves muscle activation. Neurophysiological methods help differentiate startle syndromes like hyperekplexia and neuropsychiatric disorders.

More Related Videos

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Published on: September 12, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Habituation and Prepulse Inhibition of Acoustic Startle in Rodents

Habituation and Prepulse Inhibition of Acoustic Startle in Rodents

Published on: September 1, 2011

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Using the Threat Probability Task to Assess Anxiety and Fear During Uncertain and Certain Threat

Published on: September 12, 2014

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Clinical Neurology

Background:

The startle reflex is a primitive brainstem response to unexpected stimuli, involving widespread muscle activation.
Two distinct phases of the startle response exist: an initial motor reflex and a later, more complex emotional/voluntary response.
Clinical syndromes characterized by hyperstartling are broadly categorized into hyperekplexia, stimulus-induced disorders, and neuropsychiatric disorders, posing diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the neurophysiological underpinnings of the startle reflex.
To differentiate between various clinical syndromes exhibiting hyperstartling.
To aid in the etiological understanding of neuropsychiatric startle disorders.

Main Methods:

Electromyography (EMG) recordings to measure motor responses.
Polymyographic EMG startle recordings for detailed analysis.
Clinical and neurophysiological evaluation, including video analysis for stimulus-induced disorders.

Main Results:

Hyperekplexia shows an exaggerated initial motor startle reflex in EMG recordings.
Neuropsychiatric startle syndromes present with variable response patterns and abnormal behavioral features.
Distinguishing between these syndromes requires careful clinical and neurophysiological assessment.

Conclusions:

Neurophysiological investigation of the startle reflex is crucial for differentiating startle syndromes.
Understanding the startle reflex's neurophysiology can help unravel the causes of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Accurate classification of startle syndromes improves clinical diagnosis and management.