TY - JOUR
T1 - Modulation of the acoustic startle reflex by infusion of corticotropin- releasing hormone into the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis
AU - Birnbaum, Shari G.
AU - Davis, Michael
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by National Institute of Mental Health Grants MH-25642 and MH-47840, a grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, a Research Scientist Development Award MH-00004 (to M.D.) and the State of Connecticut.
Copyright:
Copyright 2007 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 1998/1/26
Y1 - 1998/1/26
N2 - The amplitude of the acoustic startle reflex can be modulated by exposure to aversive stimuli or other conditions which evoke a state of fear. The neurotransmitters involved in this modulation are currently being investigated. Unilateral local infusion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH; 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ng) into the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (PnC), an obligatory synapse in the acoustic startle reflex, significantly elevated startle amplitude in a dose-dependent manner. The facilitation of startle began immediately following infusion, reached asymptote approximately 20-25 min later, and persisted throughout the remaining 60 min test session. This CRH-enhanced startle effect was blocked by infusion of the CRH antagonist, alpha-helical CRH9-41, immediately prior to CRH infusion. These results support an involvement of CRH at the level of the PnC in modulating the acoustic startle reflex.
AB - The amplitude of the acoustic startle reflex can be modulated by exposure to aversive stimuli or other conditions which evoke a state of fear. The neurotransmitters involved in this modulation are currently being investigated. Unilateral local infusion of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH; 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ng) into the nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis (PnC), an obligatory synapse in the acoustic startle reflex, significantly elevated startle amplitude in a dose-dependent manner. The facilitation of startle began immediately following infusion, reached asymptote approximately 20-25 min later, and persisted throughout the remaining 60 min test session. This CRH-enhanced startle effect was blocked by infusion of the CRH antagonist, alpha-helical CRH9-41, immediately prior to CRH infusion. These results support an involvement of CRH at the level of the PnC in modulating the acoustic startle reflex.
KW - Corticotropin releasing hormone
KW - Fear
KW - Nucleus reticularis pontis caudalis
KW - Startle
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U2 - 10.1016/S0006-8993(97)01309-7
DO - 10.1016/S0006-8993(97)01309-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 9519280
AN - SCOPUS:0032567781
SN - 0006-8993
VL - 782
SP - 318
EP - 323
JO - Brain Research
JF - Brain Research
IS - 1-2
ER -