Strain and age affect electroconvulsive seizure testing in rats
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
Electroconvulsive Seizures in Rats and Fractionation of Their Hippocampi to Examine Seizure-induced Changes in Postsynaptic Density Proteins
Published on: August 15, 2017
Kimberly D Statler1, Seth Swank, H Steve White
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Critical Care, University of Utah, PO Box 581289, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84158, United States. kim.statler@hsc.utah.edu
Abstract:
Electroconvulsive seizure thresholds were compared between adolescent and mature Sprague--Dawley, Wistar, and Fischer rats. All strains had similar hindbrain or forebrain seizure thresholds as adolescents. As adults, hindbrain or forebrain seizure thresholds were highest for Sprague--Dawley and lowest for Fischer rats. Conversely, limbic seizure thresholds during adolescence were highest for Fischer rats. Additional study is needed to better delineate strain and maturational effects on electroconvulsive seizure testing.
