Modulation of prepulse inhibition by an augmented acoustic environment in DBA/2J mice.

Jeskey, Jennifer E.; Willott, James F.

doi:10.1037/0735-7044.114.5.991

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The mice used in the present experiment were 8 weeks of age. The hearing loss is evident for frequencies of higher than 20 kHz at this age (Jeskey & Willott 2000). However, the frequency of the startle stimuli used here was 14 kHz, i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Difference in anxiety and sensitization of the acoustic startle response between the two inbred mouse strains BALB/cAN and DBA/2N

Plappert

Pilz

2002

Genes Brain and Behavior

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The inbred mouse strain BALB has been proposed to be an animal model for pathological anxiety. BALB exhibits a stronger acoustic startle response (ASR) than the 'less emotional' inbred strain DBA. Four experiments were conducted to determine whether this strong ASR is due to a higher anxiety level and/or to greater sensitization in BALB than in DBA, with the following results: (1) The ASR to the very first startle stimulus was found to be much stronger in BALB than in DBA, and freezing behavior evoked by startle stimuli was more pronounced in BALB than in DBA. These findings indicate a higher level of anxiety in this strain.(2) ASR amplitudes of BALB initially rose much higher during consecutive startle stimuli and remained at a high level much longer than in DBA. Thereafter, ASR amplitude dropped more slowly and to a lesser degree than in DBA. Startle amplitudes decreased similarly in both strains (strong exponential decrease) only when a low sound pressure level (SPL) was used which elicited approximately the same low ASR in both strains. These results can only be explained by increased sensitization in BALB. (3) The slope of the i/ofunction, which represents the relation between sensory input and motor output, was steeper in BALB than in DBA. As it has been shown recently, sensitization increases the slope of the startle i/o-function indicating increased sensitization in BALB. It is discussed, however, whether anxiety also contributes to this effect. (4) Footshocks increased the ASR much less in BALB than in DBA, again showing increased sensitization in BALB. Both a higher level of anxiety and greater sensitization therefore determined the greater strength of the ASR in BALB than in DBA.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Difference in anxiety and sensitization of the acoustic startle response between the two inbred mouse strains BALB/cAN and DBA/2N

Plappert

Pilz

2002

Genes Brain and Behavior

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“…Recall that the AAE also slowed the progressive elevation of thresholds in C57 mice (presumably affecting the cochlea), whereas the PPI measure reflects central plasticity that is also occurring. Jeskey and Willott [2000] found that the changes in PPI that result from AAE exposure follow rules similar to other types of behavioral plasticity (e.g., learning): the changes are gradual; when AAE treatment is terminated the effects gradually fade, and when AAE treatment is reintroduced, the improvement in PPI returns. All of this suggests that manipulation of the acoustic environment can be used to modulate the salience of sounds in subjects with hearing loss, probably by strengthening HLI plasticity.…”

Section: Neural Plasticity and Hearing Aidsmentioning

confidence: 87%

Modulation of Presbycusis: Current Status and Future Directions

Willott

Chisolm²,

Lister³

2001

Audiol Neurotol

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Literature and ideas are reviewed concerning the modulation of presbycusis – the influence of variables that can alter the severity and/or time course of presbycusis or counteract its negative aspects. Eleven topics are identified: variables related to biological aging; genetics; noise-induced hearing loss; moderately augmented acoustic environment; neural plasticity and the central auditory system; neural plasticity and hearing aids; socioeconomic and cultural barriers to hearing aid use; lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc.); medical variables; pharmaceutical interventions for presbycusis, and cognitive variables. It is concluded that the field of otogerontology will best be served by a comprehensive, integrative interaction among basic researchers and clinical scientists who will continue to learn how the auditory problems associated with presbycusis can be intentionally modulated in beneficial ways.

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“…Such studies have reared mice in an AAE (usually a 200ms, 70 dB SPL broadband noise presented at a pulsing 2 Hz rate) for as little as 10 days in some studies to well over a year in others in order to investigate the effects of chronic, low-level acoustic stimulation on the degenerating cochlea and central auditory system (Jeskey & Willott, 2000; Turner & Willott, 1998; Willott & Turner, 1999; Willott et al, 2000, 2005, 2006; Willott & Bross, 2004; Willott, 2009, Willott, Vandenbosche, & Shimizu, 2010). That work has shown that if mice with progressive hearing loss are reared in an AAE, their hearing (as measured by behavior, hair cell counts, ABR thresholds, electrophysiological responses of cells in the inferior colliculus) can be improved significantly.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%