Premium
The acoustic startle response is normal in patients with multiple system atrophy
Author(s) -
Valldeoriola F.,
VallsSolé J.,
Tolosa E.,
Nobbe F. A.,
Muñoz J. E.,
Martí J.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.870120511
Subject(s) - brainstem , moro reflex , startle response , audiology , reflex , medicine , atrophy , pathological , reticular connective tissue , corneal reflex , auditory brainstem response , reticular formation , psychology , acoustic reflex , neuroscience , anatomy , central nervous system , pathology , hearing loss
We investigated the acoustic startle response in eight patients with MSA and compared the results with those from a group of age matched healthy subjects. Onset latency and amplitude of the responses obtained in the orbicularis oculi, masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles were not different in patients and control subjects. We conclude that, in spite of the pathological derangement described in brainstem reticular nuclei in MSA, the neuronal circuits mediating the auditory startle reflex are functionally preserved.