Effects of mesencephalic reticular formation lesions on habituation of startle and lick suppression responses in the rat.

摘要: Extensive damage to the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF) in rats altered long-term habituation of acoustic startle response without disrupting short-term habituation. Animals with MRF lesions, although initially neither more nor less responsive than controls, could not attain as low a asymptote control animals repeated presentations an auditory stimulus. Changing quality stimulus abolished asymptotic difference responsiveness. With second stimulus, again reached significantly lower did lesions. The course for two groups suggested disruption extrinsic, inhibitory process by effects lesions were specific response. Control and those showed comparable levels, habituation, lick suppression responsiveness tactile stimuli both measures.