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Maturation of startle facilitation by sustained prestimulation
E M Ornitz1, D Guthrie, S J Lane
1Department of Psychiatry, University of California Los Angeles.
Psychophysiology
|May 1, 1990
Summary
Startle response facilitation develops in early childhood, with significant differences observed between preschool children and older individuals. This developmental trajectory in startle reflex maturation is independent of attentional factors.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Auditory Processing
Background:
- The startle response is a fundamental protective reflex.
- Startle response modulation by prestimulation is a known phenomenon.
- Developmental changes in reflex pathways are common in childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate maturational changes in startle response facilitation in children and young adults.
- To determine if attentional factors influence startle facilitation development.
- To compare startle facilitation with fixed versus variable prestimulation intervals.
Main Methods:
- Assessed startle response to a white noise burst after a 2-s prestimulus tone.
- Measured startle amplitude and onset latency in 3, 4, 5, 8-year-olds, and adults.
- Compared results with a previous study using variable prestimulation intervals.
Main Results:
- Startle response facilitation was observed in all age groups.
- Preschool children (3-5 years) showed significantly greater facilitation than 8-year-olds and adults.
- Maturation of startle facilitation was similar across fixed and variable prestimulation intervals, suggesting independence from uncertainty.
Conclusions:
- Neuronal mechanisms mediating startle facilitation mature significantly during early childhood.
- Maturation of startle facilitation appears complete around 8 years of age.
- Developmental changes in startle facilitation are largely independent of attentional effects or stimulus predictability.