Effects of nicotine on the acoustic startle reflex amplitude in rats

The acoustic startle reflex was used to measure changes in sensorimotor reactivity in response to nicotine administration and cessation. Male rats received saline, 6 mg/kg/day or 12 mg/kg/day nicotine delivered subcutaneously by osmotic minipumps. The pumps delivered their contents during a 10-day period of implantation, after which time they were explanted. Animals were tested for startle reflex amplitudes using two levels of white noise bursts prior to pump implantation, on days 1 and 7 of nicotine or saline administration, and on several days following drug cessation. Nicotine produced a dose-dependent increase in startle amplitude during the period of administration that decreased during cessation. Results are interpreted in terms of nicotine's actions to enhance attentional processes.