Abstract
Summary
Marked strain differences in minimal electroshock seizure threshold, maximal electroshock seizure pattern, and duration of post-seizure depression were found in adult males and females of 6 strains of rats. Seizure thresholds in one group averaged only 65% of thresholds in another group. Duration of tonic extension during maximal seizures and duration of post-seizure depression showed 10- to 16-fold variations among strains tested. Females in general showed greater convulsive susceptibility than males of the same strain, probably because of the excitatory action of estradiol. In males, differences in seizures were compared with values for brain acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations and cholinesterase (ChE) activities reported previously for these strains. In each of the 3 pairs of strains, selectively bred from 3 foundation stocks, the strain with the lower seizure threshold had the higher ChE. On the other hand, intensity of seizures and postseizure depression could not be related to brain ACh or ChE.
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