Sound-induced convulsions in the hamster associated with magnesium deficiency.

Abstract

Exposure of (1) 16 hamsters maintained on an Mg deficient diet, (2) 10 animals placed on a control diet immediately after a first convulsive attack, (3) 10 Mg-deficient animals given Mg supplements after each induced convulsion, and (4) 12 control animals maintained on adequate purified diet, to sound tests, indicated results similar to those reported for the rat. Spontaneous convulsions occured in the Mg-deficient animals after from 7 to 20 days of Mg deprivation. Administration of Mg protected animals against induced seizures. The average survival time of the deficient animals was 20 days, death being due to the effects of either sound-induced or spontaneous convulsions. Deficient animals restored to a normal diet appeared normal within 4 days. The writer discusses the importance of nutritional deficiency in the etiology of audiogenic seizures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)