Relationship between spike-wave discharges and vigilance levels in rats with spontaneous petit mal-like epilepsy

• Published in: Neuroscience letters Vol. 94; no. 1-2; p. 187
• Main Authors: Lannes, B, Micheletti, G, Vergnes, M, Marescaux, C, Depaulis, A, Warter, J M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland 22-11-1988
• Subjects: Animals; Arousal - physiology; Brain - physiopathology; Disease Models, Animal; Electroencephalography; Electromyography; Epilepsy, Absence - physiopathology; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Sleep - physiology
• ISSN: 0304-3940
• DOI: 10.1016/0304-3940(88)90293-5

The relationship between states of vigilance and spike and wave discharges (SWD) was examined during 12 hours in 4 Wistar rats from a strain bred for spontaneous generalized non-convulsant seizures. On the basis of cortical and hippocampal EEG and EMG activity, wakefulness (W), slow wave sleep (SWS) and paradoxical sleep (REM) were distinguished. Of the SWD 86% occurred during quiet W, 14% during the first minutes of SWS. No SWD occurred during active wakefulness and they were exceptional during REM. These results show that the states of quiet W and transitional states favour the SWD in rats with petit mal-like epilepsy, as in human petit mal.