Limbic lesions and the inhibition of startle reactions in the rat by conditions of preliminary stimulation

Abstract

The startle reflex to intense acoustic stimuli and its inhibition by light and sound prepulses was examined before and after septal, amygdaloid or hippocampal lesions or control procedures. There was no effect of limbic damage on acoustic startle or its inhibition. Lesions which included damage to the optic tracts or lateral geniculate nucleus abolished the light prepulse produced inhibition of startle but left auditory prepulse produced inhibition unaffected. © 1971.