Effects of d-Amphetamine and Haloperidol on Modulation of the Human Acoustic Startle Response

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of haloperidol and amphetamine on human startle response modulated by emotionallytoned film clips. Method: Sixty participants, in two groups (one receiving haloperidol and the other receiving amphetamine) were tested using electromyography (EMG) to measure eye-blink muscle (orbicular oculi) while different emotions were induced by six 2-minute film clips. Results: An affective rating shows the negative and positive effects of the two drugs on emotional reactivity, neither amphetamine nor haloperidol had any impact on the modulation of the startle response. Conclusion: The methodological and theoretical aspects of the study and findings will be discussed.