THE ACOUSTIC STARTLE RESPONSE IS NORMAL IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SYSTEM ATROPHY

We investigated the acoustic startle response in eight patients with M SA and compared the results with those from a group of age matched hea lthy subjects. Onset latency and amplitude of the responses obtained i n the orbicularis oculi, masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles were not different in patients and control subjects. We conclude that, in spite of the pathological derangement described in brainstem reticular nuclei in MSA, the neuronal circuits mediating the auditory startle r eflex are functionally preserved.