Prepulse inhibition and habituation of the startle response are stable neurobiological measures in a normal male population

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) and habituation of the startle response are opera tional measures of sensorimotor gating and information processing. Changes in the normal inhibition ann habituation of the startle response may provid e trait markers for illnesses such as schizophrenia that have altered neuro transmitter control of the neural circuitry that modulates these measures. The stability of PPI and habituation was assessed in 10 normal male subject s. Prepulse inhibition was found to be most stable in the more intense prep ulse conditions, and habituation was most stable in the early portion of th e test session. These data support the hypothesis that PPI and habituation are relatively stable neurobiological markers. Biol Psychiatry 1999;45:360- 364 (C) 1999 Society of Biological Psychiatry.