THE superior colliculus (SC) is important for the processing of sensor
y information of different modalities and for the mediation of adequat
e motor responses in mammals. The present study investigated the effec
ts of excitotoxic lesions of the SC on two different modulations of th
e acoustic startle response (ASR) in rats. Modulations of the ASR (i.e
. increase or decrease of the response strength) represent useful mode
ls for the study of sensorimotor integration phenomena. Lesions of the
SC decreased the prepulse inhibition of the ASR without affecting the
baseline startle amplitude or the enhancement of the ASR by footshock
sensitization. These results suggest a crucial role of the SC in the
prepulse inhibition of the ASR, a model of sensorimotor gating.