Behavioral alterations associated with generalized spike and wave discharges in the EEG of the cat

Instrumental conditioning procedures demonstrated that in feline generalized penicillin epilepsy (FGPE) the cat's ability to respond to sensory (visual or auditory) stimuli was selectively impaired during penicillin-induced generalized spike and wave (SW) discharge. Responsiveness between SW bursts remained unimpaired. Most often the performance deficit consisted of a total absence of a learned response to stimuli presented during SW bursts or, if such a response occurred, reaction times were on the average significantly longer than to stimuli presented between SW bursts. Stimuli falling in the middle of a SW burst were associated with the highest likelihood of response failure. Spontaneous motor performance which was not contingent on any stimulus was also impaired during SW discharge. Response failure during SW bursts is either attributable to a cognitive defect or to motor impairment associated with temporary amnesia. Impairment of motor performance unassociated with amnesia or a cognitive defect was sometimes present during SW discharge, as evidenced by failure to carry out a motor response or to complete it until the SW burst was over. These deficits are similar to those seen in human absence attacks associated with generalized SW discharge. These observations thus support the validity of FGPE as an acceptable model of human primary generalized epilepsy.