Citation

Carlsen AN, Maslovat D, Lam MY, Chua R, Franks IM. Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 2011; 35(3): 366-376.

Affiliation

School of Human Kinetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.neubiorev.2010.04.009

PMID

20466020

Abstract

Recent studies have used a loud (>120dB) startle-eliciting acoustic stimulus as a probe to investigate early motor response preparation in humans. The use of a startle in these studies has provided insight into not only the neurophysiological substrates underlying motor preparation, but also into the behavioral response strategies associated with particular stimulus-response sets. However, as the use of startle as a probe for preparation is a relatively new technique, a standard protocol within the context of movement paradigms does not yet exist. Here we review the recent literature using startle as a probe during the preparation phase of movement tasks, with an emphasis on how the experimental parameters affect the results obtained. Additionally, an overview of the literature surrounding the startle stimulus parameters is provided, and factors affecting the startle response are considered. In particular, we provide a review of the factors that should be taken into consideration when using a startling stimulus in human research.

Language: en