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Modification of acoustic startle by microwave pulses in the rat: A preliminary report
Author(s) -
Seaman Ronald L.,
Beblo Dolores A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
bioelectromagnetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.435
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-186X
pISSN - 0197-8462
DOI - 10.1002/bem.2250130408
Subject(s) - startle response , stimulus (psychology) , amplitude , microwave , audiology , pulse duration , physics , medicine , psychology , optics , laser , quantum mechanics , psychotherapist
Single, 1.25‐GHz microwave pulses of 0.8‐ to 1.0‐μs duration were presented to each of four rats 100 ms before presentation of a startle‐inducing acoustic stimulus. This sequential pairing of microwave pulse and acoustic stimulus was found to modify the startle response. At an energy dose to the head of 22–43 mJ/kg per pulse (peak SAR, 23–48 kW/kg), the mean latency to the startle response was longer and the mean amplitude of the response was smaller with respect to control responses that occurred to acoustic stimuli alone. However, at a higher energy dose per microwave pulse in the range of 59–107 mJ/kg (peak SAR, 63–111 kW/kg), the mean latency and amplitude of the startle response were not statistically different from the respective means of control responses. 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.