Publication Date

1987

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Willott, James F.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Psychology

LCSH

Startle reaction; Sound--Psychological aspects; Hearing

Abstract

C57BL/6J mice demonstrate progressive age-related hearing loss during the first year of life, while CBA/J mice lose little sensitivity through 18 months of age. The acoustic startle response (ASR) was measured in these strains to determine behavioral correlates of aging with and without presbycusis. The stimuli were tone pips (10 msec duration, 1 msec rise/fall) with frequencies of 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 kHz at intensities of 70, 80, 90, and 100 dB SPL. ASR "thresholds” (the minimum SPL required to elicit ASRs more than 50% of the time) increased with age, and startle amplitudes became smaller in both strains. However, the changes in these startle parameters were much more pronounced in C57s, with middle to high frequencies (12-24 kHz) severely affected. The startle latencies (analyzed as a function of ASR "threshold") increased with age in C57s, but did not change in CBAs. The CBA data indicate that aging per se has little effect on ASR parameters; the C57 data show that hearing loss is a cogent factor. However, ASR parameters of C57 mice are altered to a greater extent than expected, based on the elevations of absolute sensory thresholds, particularly for middle frequencies (12-16 kHz). Both peripheral and central mechanisms are proposed to account for discrepancy.

Comments

Includes bibliographies.

Extent

xi, 103 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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