Reflex epilepsy in rats of Krushinsky—Molodkina line induced by hypobaric decompression

Abstract

Previously we have shown that hypobaric decompression in the chamber causes in the rats hypobaric epileptiform response (HER), which is very similar to reflex epilepsy caused by a sound stimulus. However, the HER is rats of random population occurs in only 5—10% of the original number, which complicates the use of the method in practice. The purpose — to study the possibility of using of Krushinsky—Molodkina (KM) line rats for modeling HER; to classify and analyse the different phases of the HER; to develop a system for evaluating the severity of HER and analysis of drugs anticonvulsant activity. Methods. Rats of KM line in an individual chamber were raised to the "height" of 5000 m at a speed of 50 m/sec hypobaric decompression. The severity of epileptic seizures in rats KM, caused by hypobaric decompression was evaluated on 9-point scale. Results. It is established that in rats KM in 96% of cases epileptic seizures occur in response to hypobaric decompression, which are effectively prevented by the antiepileptic carbamazepine means. All forms of convulsive seizure and all phases before and after the onset of the seizure were characterized. Conclusion. Experimental model of HER in rats of KM line can be used not only in epilepsy, but also beyond its limits, particularly in the aviation, space and environmental medicine.