EFFECTS OF ALTERATIONS IN BODY TEMPERATURE ON PROPERTIES OF CONVULSIVE SEIZURES IN RATS

Abstract

Characteristics of exptl. seizures were studied in rats whose body temps. were altered by exposure to extreme environmental temps. Seizure threshold was increased, seizure duration reduced and post-seizure recovery hastened by increased body temp., and all were conversely changed by decreased body temp. The data were adequately fitted by plotting the logarithm of each function against the reciprocal of absolute body temp. For seizure threshold the Q10 was found to be 1.6, for seizure duration 2.8, and for recovery 2. The possible significances of the findings are briefly discussed.