A signal detection theory analysis of gap detection in the rat

Author(s): Carmody, D. P., Girten, E. M.

Journal/Book: Percept Psychophys. 1997; 59: 1710 Fortview Rd, Austin, TX 78704. Psychonomic Soc Inc. 774-782.

Abstract: An innocuous sensory event (a prestimulus) briefly preceding a startle-eliciting stimulus (SES) reduces the amplitude of the elicited reflex. This study used signal detection theory (SDT) techniques to quantify the effects of gaps (pauses in otherwise continuous noise) on the rat's acoustic startle reflex, Sixteen rats were given four identical test sessions consisting of the randomized presentation of 150 trials of the SES alone and 150 trials of a gap-and-SES combination. Gap duration (1, 2, 4 and 8 msec) varied between sessions. Data analyses based on amplitude, difference scores, percentage scores, and SDT techniques identified similar patterns. The three longest gaps, but not the shortest, were reliably detected, and differences among these three were identified with percentage and SDT analyses. AnaIyses of amplitude changes over test sessions yielded different patterns for each measure. The results demonstrate that an SDT analysis is a sensitive index of prestimulus effects.

Note: Article Leitner DS, St Josephs Univ, Dept Psychol, 5600 City Ave, Philadelphia,PA 19131 USA

Keyword(s): ACOUSTIC STARTLE RESPONSE; AUDITORY-SENSITIVITY; REFLEX MODIFICATION; INHIBITION; NOISE; SCHIZOPHRENIA; HABITUATION; MODELS; DOMAIN

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