Multi-sensory (auditory and somatosensory) pre-pulse inhibition in mice.

We investigated the perception of two mechanoreceptive modalities alone and in combination: main effects and interaction between auditory and somatosensory stimulation in mice. Fifteen C57BL/6J mice between the ages of 1 and 6 months were tested three times each. Experimental design roughly followed published procedures using pre-pulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle response, except pre-pulses included vibration of the test chamber as well as soft sounds.