Elsevier

Physiology & Behavior

Volume 51, Issue 4, April 1992, Pages 885-889
Physiology & Behavior

Brief communication
Daily rhythmicity of the rat acoustic startle response

https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(92)90131-KGet rights and content

Abstract

We have measured the acoustic startle response (ASR) amplitude and latency in rats housed in a 12:12 light:dark (LD) cycle. The response amplitudes to eliciting stimuli (ES) of 110 dB or 120 dB (white noise) were significantly higher (nearly two-fold) during D than during L. Similar, but nonsignificant, trends were also observed at ES intensities of 90 dB or 100 dB. While some significant LD ASR latency differences were observed, we cannot ascribe them to the photoperiodic phase at this time. These findings conclusively demonstrate that the mammalian ASR amplitude exhibits daily rhythmicity.

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