Advances in Mapping the Startle Eye-Blink Response Onto Neural Circuits

Cross-species translational research allows us to further knowledge regarding the biological mechanisms underlying psychiatric symptoms (1,2). In neuroscience, such research can bridge the precise probing of neural circuits in animal models with the less invasive work performed in humans using neuroimaging, with the goal of mapping human emotions to neural functioning. Affective modulation measured with startle is a prime example of a translational paradigm that can be measured across human and nonhuman species using the eye-blink startle response measured with facial electromyography (EMG) in humans or whole-body startle in animals such as rodents.

Source: Biological Psychiatry - February 17, 2020 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Antonia N. Kaczkurkin Tags: Early Career Investigator Commentary Source Type: research