Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Habituation and Prepulse Inhibition of Acoustic Startle in Rodents
Published on: September 1, 2011
Smoking withdrawal, nicotine dependence and prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex
1Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London, UK.
Abstract:
The present study examined the relationship between nicotine dependence as measured by the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex measured after overnight smoking withdrawal in a non-clinical population of male smokers with no history of psychiatric disorders or drug/alcohol abuse. It was found that smokers who scored high (>median) on the FTQ showed significantly less PPI as compared to those scoring low (
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating sympathetic or...
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

