Superficial layer superior colliculus (SC) neurons were recorded extracellularly with multibarreled recording/ejecting micropipettes. Angiotensin II was delivered via micropressure ejection during visual stimulation (n = 215 cells), or during electrical stimulation of either the optic chiasm (OX; n = 150 cells) or visual cortex (CTX; n = 42 cells). Application of angiotensin II decreased visual responses of SC cells to 43.8% +/- 30.7% (mean +/- S.D.) and reduced responses to electrical stimulation of the OX and CTX to 58.6% +/- 34.1% and 43.8% +/- 30.7% of control values, respectively. Angiotensin II enhanced responses by at least 30% in only 6 cells (1.5%). Of the 35 neurons tested with both OX and CTX stimulation, the correlation of evoked response suppression by angiotensin II was highly significant (r = 0.69; P < 0.001). This suggests that the suppressive effects of angiotensin II were common to both pathways. To test whether the inhibitory effects of angiotensin II were presynaptic or postsynaptic, Mg2+ ions were ejected iontophoretically to abolish synaptic responses, and the neurons were activated by iontophoresis of glutamate and then tested with angiotensin II. Angiotensin II reduced the glutamate-evoked responses to an average 29.1% +/- 21.1% of control values (n = 9 cells). This suggest that the site of action of angiotensin II is most likely postsynaptic. To identify which receptors were involved in these effects, angiotensin II was ejected concurrently with the AT1 antagonist Losartan (DUP753) or with either of two AT2 antagonists, CGP42112A or PD123177. Losartan antagonized the action of angiotensin II in 65.6% of the cells tested (n = 99) and CGP42112A and PD123177 had antagonistic effects in 58% (n = 65) and 60% (n = 5), respectively. Both classes of antagonists were tested in 29 cells; and there was no significant correlation between their effectiveness. These results suggest that both AT1 and AT2 receptors may independently mediate the suppressive effects of angiotensin II, and that collicular neurons may have either or both receptor subtypes.