EFFECTS OF STIMULUS FREQUENCY ON THE BLINK REFLEX DURING REST AND A TASK

Blink reflexes were studied in 84 healthy subjects, applying 4 different stimulation frequencies. The experiments were subdivided into 3 periods: rest, binary choice task and final rest period. Independent of the applied stimulation frequency, an increment of R1 during the task was found, and it was concluded that the R1 amplitude reflects the state of arousal of the subject. Within each of the 3 periods, R1 amplitudes decreased independently of the applied frequency, while R2 amplitudes decreased dependent on the applied frequency, i.e. at lower frequencies a smaller decrement in time could be observed. It was concluded that R2 habituated at frequencies lower than those so far reported. © 1979.