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Evaluation of startle response and prepulse inhibition based on changes in the range of vertical pressure force of the feet on the ground: a preliminary study

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Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility of estimating a startle response and sensorimotor gating based on changes in the range of vertical pressure force of the feet on the ground during a dynamometric examination. The study encompassed 13 healthy and physically fit men (age: 23.3 ± 2.0 years; height: 178.0 ± 6.1 cm; and weight: 76.1 ± 9.0 kg). The inhibitory mechanisms of startle reflex were used as the measure of sensorimotor gating. It was triggered by a strong acoustic stimulus (106 dB SPL, 40 ms), which was preceded by a similar, weaker signal (80 dB SPL, 20 ms). Startle reflex was evaluated using a piezoelectric force platform. The results of the conducted study show that the range of vertical pressure force of the feet caused by the reaction to a strong acoustic stimulus is significantly smaller when this stimulus is preceded by a signal of lower intensity (prepulse). Such assessment is only possible with the participants’ eyes open. The generalized startle response of a person may be estimated using a force platform, based on changes in the range of vertical pressure force of the feet on the ground, which are caused by unexpected acoustic stimuli. There is a strong indication that using a force platform to evaluate sensorimotor gating could be used as an alternative to electromyographic examinations.

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This research received no specific grant from any funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physical Education, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice, Mikołowska street 72, 40-065, Katowice, Poland

    Jacek Polechoński, Agnieszka Nawrocka, Grzegorz Juras & Janusz Błaszczyk

  2. Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland

    Janusz Błaszczyk

Authors
  1. Jacek Polechoński
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  2. Agnieszka Nawrocka
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  3. Grzegorz Juras
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  4. Janusz Błaszczyk
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Correspondence to Agnieszka Nawrocka.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Polechoński, J., Nawrocka, A., Juras, G. et al. Evaluation of startle response and prepulse inhibition based on changes in the range of vertical pressure force of the feet on the ground: a preliminary study. Neurol Sci 38, 2139–2143 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-3129-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-3129-9

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