Convulsive behavior in the rat.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A review of studies on convulsive behavior in the rat. Seizures have been induced under given conditions of auditory stimulation, conflict, electrical stimulation, injection with certain drugs, and deprivation of any of several dietary elements. Certain dietary deficiencies are found to increase sensitivity to stimulation. The susceptibility of rats to sound-induced seizures increases with age to a maximum at 135-160 days and declines thereafter. Rats from an "emotional" strain are less susceptible to convulsive attacks than are those from "nonemotional" strains. Rats from susceptible parents are more susceptible than those from non-susceptible parents. Learning ability, retention and reasoning ability show some impairment following convulsions. No thoroughgoing theory of the physiological basis of convulsions has been worked out. In all 174 studies are reviewed.