Audiogenic Seizure and the Adrenal Cortex

Abstract

40-day old hooded rats, known to be susceptible to audiogenic seizures (AGS) do not have that susceptibility increased following injection of 6 mg of ACTH. No rat of a non-susceptible strain had an AGS following identical ACTH dosage. Rats of susceptible strains, following AGS, and rats injected with ACTH, have heavier adrenal glands than did non-injected, non-susceptible control rats. It is concluded that ACTH injections sufficient to increase the weight of the adrenal glands produce no reliable change in AGS susceptibility of either susceptible or non-susceptible rats. It was not determined whether susceptible rats, prior to seizure or ACTH injection, have heavier adrenals than do non-susceptible controls.