Ontogeny of susceptibility to experimental febrile seizures in rats

✍ Scribed by Dennis L. Hjeresen; Jaime Diaz

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 917 KB
• Volume: 21
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0012-1630
• DOI: 10.1002/dev.420210307

✦ Synopsis

Two experiments were conducted using microwave hyperthermia (MHT) to induce seizures among limited numbers of Long-Evans rat pups. The MHT model of febrile seizures eliminates several methodological complications inherent in previous animal models of the disorder. In Experiment 1, rat pups were rendered hyperthermic with MHT or were sham-irradiated on Days 1 1 , 13, 15 or 17 postpartum. The results indicate a statistically significant decline in seizure susceptibility with age. In Experiment 2, rats were subjected to either single or multiple hyperthermic episodes on Days 11, 13, 15, or 17 postpartum. The results indicate an increase in susceptibility to seizures attributable to prior seizure history. In both experiments, seizures were induced with increases in rectal temperature of 1 to 3°C. The results parallel many clinical features of febrile seizures and argue the efficacy of the MHT model.

The population of children susceptible to seizures associated with fever has been estimated to be from 2 to 5% of all children (