A non-stereotaxic method for olfactory bulb kindling reveals distinct kindling rates among inbred mouse strains

A simple method for olfactory bulb kindling in the unrestrained mouse is described. Twisted wire electrodes attached to a dip-socket head assembly were implanted in the olfactory bulb. A ground lead was secured to a single skull screw and implantation was visually guided into the olfactory bulb. In all properly implanted preparations, stimulation produced an afterdischarge with behavioral responses which progressed to fully kindled convulsions. Location within the olfactory bulb did not affect the kindling rate. With this technique, mice from the C57BL/6J, C3H/He and DBA/2 inbred strains were kindled. Within each strain, kindling parameters were closely distributed about the group mean. Kindling rates in C3H and DBA inbred strains were significantly different from each other, but not significantly different from those reported in amygdala kindling.