Footshock-induced sensitization of the acoustic startle response in two strains of mice

Anneloes Dirks*, Reinoud De Jongh, Lucianne Groenink, Jan Van Der Gugten, Theo H. Hijzen, Berend Olivier

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

It has been shown before that unconditioned footshocks can augment the acoustic startle response in rats. In the present study, male mice of two strains, C57B1/6N and BALB/c, were compared with regard to footshock-induced sensitization of the acoustic startle response. Presentation of footshocks did not affect the acoustic startle response in C57B1/6N mice, while in contrast, footshock-induced sensitization was apparent in the BALB/c strain. Shocked C57B1/6N mice, but not BALB/c mice, displayed robust conditioning to the startle context when re-tested the next day. These findings indicate that mice may exhibit footshock-induced sensitization of the acoustic startle response, but that the effects of footshocks on the acoustic startle are strain- and time-dependent.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)17-21
Number of pages5
JournalBehavioural Brain Research
Volume123
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Aug 2001
Externally publishedYes

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