Premium
Effects of seizures on learning, memory, and behavior in the genetically epilespy‐prone rat
Author(s) -
Holmes Gregory L.,
Thompson James L.,
Marchi Teresa A.,
Gabriel Pamela S.,
Hogan Martha A.,
Carl Frank G.,
Feldman Daniel S.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410270106
Subject(s) - open field , epilepsy , psychology , elevated plus maze , audiology , morris water navigation task , water maze , neuroscience , developmental psychology , anesthesia , medicine , hippocampus , psychiatry , anxiety
To determine whether frequent seizures can cause deficits in learning and behavior, immature genetically epilepsyprone rats (GEPRs) were subjected to 66 audiogenic stimulations (Group 1). GEPR littermates were handled and placed in the sound chamber but were not stimulated (Group 2). Group 3 comprised genetically epilepsy‐resistant rats (GERRs) who received audiogenic stimulations but had no seizures. After 3 weeks of stimulations the rats were tested for learning, memory, and behavior using the T‐maze, water maze, open field activity test, home cage intruder test, and handling test. When compared with the control GEPRs and GERRs, Group 1 rats reached criteria less frequently in the T‐maze, required longer times to find the platform in the water maze, and were active in the open field activity test, less aggressive in the home cage intruder test, and more irritable and aggressive in the handling test. This study demonstrates that frequent, brief seizures in immature animals result in significant detrimental changes in learning, memory activity level, and behavior.