Testing Neurophysiological Markers Related to Fear-Potentiated Startle

Posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are associated with significant impairment across multiple domains of functioning (Magruder et  al., 2004; Norman et al., 2007). Some intermediate phenotypes that have emerged as underlying mechanisms of this dysfunction are exaggerated startle and impaired fear inhibition, which relate to the fear learning process (a form of classical conditioning). Researchers have been able to examine fe ar learning processes primarily through the use of fear-potentiated startle (FPS) paradigms (e.g., Grillon and Morgan, 1999; Norrholm et al., 2011; Sijbrandij et al., 2013).

Source: Psychiatry Research - June 11, 2018 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Antonia V. Seligowski, Erin Bondy, Paris Singleton, Holly K. Orcutt, Kerry J. Ressler, Randy P. Auerbach Source Type: research