The acoustic startle response is an unconditional reflex manifested as a rapid contraction of facial and skeletal muscles in response to a sudden and intense startling stimulus. Translational research ...

The acoustic startle response is an unconditional reflex involving rapid facial and skeletal muscle movements triggered by sudden, startling stimuli like sound or light. Studying the acoustic startle ...

Sensorimotor gating is a fundamental neurophysiological mechanism by which the brain filters out irrelevant sensory information, thereby safeguarding cognitive stability and preventing sensory ...

On January 15, 2009, Captain Sully Sullenberger successfully landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after the plane struck a flock of birds, losing all engine power. All aboard the flight ...

Hyperekplexia is a genetic condition characterized by an exaggerated startle reaction to sudden loud sounds, movement, or touch. The muscles may stiffen as a result. Hyperekplexia is a rare condition.

With surprise or startle, our eyes widen and blink, our eyebrows are up, our mouth opens, our body may twitch or lurch, and our hand may reach to cover our cheek, forehead, or chest. The emotion has a ...

ATLANTA -- It sounds like a scene from a scary movie: a research scientist strapped me into a dentist-like chair, plugged my finger into a heart rate monitor and called the whole thing "The Fear ...

A car backfires, and your shoulders jump. A shadow moves, and your eyes fly open before your brain catches up. That dramatic flash of white sclera around widened eyes feels automatic because it is.

We all jump at an unexpected noise or touch, but in some people, this startle response is exaggerated, and can cause falls and even death. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ...