The Startle Response test is used to measure sensorimotor dysfunction, as well as hearing deficits in response to a loud acoustic stimulus. By providing mice with a wide range of acoustic stimuli of varying loudness, and plotting the intensity of the startle response, a startle threshold indicative of hearing abilities is determined (Loos et al 2012).

The test is often used to study brain function, particularly the role of brainstem circuits, the auditory system, and higher brain areas involved in processing and responding to sensory inputs. The magnitude of the startle response is typically measured to assess sensitivity to stimuli, and it is often employed in the study of conditions such as anxiety, PTSD, or neurodevelopmental disorders, where startle responses may be exaggerated or diminished.