Publication: A broadband acoustic stimulus is more likely than a pure tone to elicit a startle reflex and prepared movements

PDF  In order to be able to confidently assert that any RT speeding following a startling acoustic stimulus (SAS) is the result of activation in subcortical areas related to the startle reflex, a reliable indication that a startle reflex actually occurred is required. While the eye-blink response is typically used…

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Publication: Startle activation is additive with voluntary cortical activation irrespective of stimulus modality

  PDF    This paper investigated whether an additive model of activation or a horse-race model would be a better fit for data showing that reaction times are facilitated to a greater degree than would be expected when a startling stimulus presented after the typical “go” signal. Abstract: When a startling acoustic…

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Publication: Neural processes mediating the preparation and release of focal motor output are suppressed or absent during imagined movement

PDF  This study investigated whether movements that were “imaged” or “imagined” to be executed involved a build up of preparatory activation in brain structures in a similar way as movements that were actually executed. By using a loud startling acoustic stimulus, we are able to elicit pre-planned movements if they…

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