Respiratory modulation of startle eye blink: a new approach to assess afferent signals from the respiratory system.

ABSTRACT: Current approaches to assess interoception of respiratory functions cannot differentiate between the physiological basis of interoception, i.e. visceral-afferent signal processing, and the psychological process of attention focusing. Furthermore, they typically involve invasive procedures, e.g. induction of respiratory occlusions or the inhalation of CO2-enriched air. The aim of this study was to test the capacity of startle methodology to reflect respiratory-related afferent signal processing, independent of invasive procedures. Forty-two healthy participants were tested in a spontaneous breathing and in a 0.25 Hz paced breathing condition. Acoustic startle noises of 105 dB(A) intensity (50 ms white noise) were presented with identical trial frequency at peak and on-going inspiration and

SUBMITTER: Schulz A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5062107 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature