Induction of seizures by air blast in gerbils: stimulus duration/effect relationship

In air blast-induced seizures in gerbils, there is a relationship between the duration of the air blast and the incidence of 'major' convulsions. An ET50 of 9.6 sec was determined in untreated controls; pretreatment with anticonvulsant drugs shifted the stimulus/effect curve to the right. This 'stimulus summation' phenomenon makes a clearly defined challenge necessary when drug effects are to be evaluated.