震惊条件反射系统用于研究动物对突然的强烈刺激的反应的观察以及数据分析。利用一台电脑能同时控制4个震惊反应箱。

Startle Response System

The acoustic startle reflex is a highly characteristic response to a sudden, intense stimulus. It has been observed in many species (e.g. rats, mice and also humans). In rodents the startle response is characterized by contractions of the major body muscles.

By performing acoustic startle response experiments general information about sensimotor processing can be achieved. In "PPI" (prepulse inhibition) experiments a weak signal (the prepulse) is followed immediately by a sudden intense stimulus (startle stimulus). Normally the weak signal attenuates the response to the startle stimulus. Deficits in the PPI are related to deficits in sensimotoric gating processes. Alternatively, "fear-potentiated startle" experiments can be performed: the response to a startle-eliciting stimulus is increased when it has previously been paired with an aversive stimulus like a foot shock. Fear-potentiated startle experiments have been widely used in studies of fear conditioning.
Startle reflex in small rodents can be easily quantified with our new computerized startle response measuring system. The whole setup is contained in sound-attenuating isolation cabinets. Up to 4 startle boxes can be operated simultaneously with one computer.