Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019
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Date of Graduation
Spring 2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
Advisor(s)
Lincoln C. Gray
Abstract
The purpose of this study pertains to hearing in the species Peromyscus maniculatus (deer mice) — specifically their responses to a startling sound. Approximately seven mice were tested between four and five years of age, approaching the lifespan of this species. By means of an accelerometer, which measures a reflexive, motor response, the mice were presented with an acoustic startle-eliciting stimulus (SES) — that is a loud, startling, unexpected sound. During the study, the mice were also presented with a softer, less-intense stimulus — known as a pre-pulse — slightly before the more intense sound. This pre-pulse stimulus was in the form of auditory, somatosensory, or a combined input. The study aimed to quantitatively measure whether the pre-pulse stimuli would elicit a diminished reflexive response (pre-pulse inhibition) to the SES.
Recommended Citation
Hillyard, Ashley B. and Chuss, Nicolette S., "Hearing studies in old mice: The effect of pre-pulse inhibition on the acoustic startle response" (2019). Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019. 641.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/honors201019/641
