Effects of attenuating cutaneous afferent activity on a preestablished nictitating membrane response in rabbits.

Conducted 3 experiments with a total of 27 New Zealand albino rabbits. Ss' nictitating membrane response conditioned during high levels of cutaneous afferent activity from the cornea and paraorbital region. Afferent activity levels were controlled by varying UCS locus, corneal applications of a local anesthetic (.5% tetracaine hydrochloride), and exerting mechanical tension on the eyelids. After attainment of criterion levels of responding, levels of afferent activity were varied. Results indicate that subsequent response levels were a direct function of cutaneous afferent activity. Latency and amplitude measurements of the UCR under procedures used to manipulate cutaneous afferent activity did not support the possibility of a mechanical impedence of the response. Stimulus change did not appear to be critically important. (24 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)