Studies of abnormal behavior in the rat. V. The inheritance of the "neurotic pattern."

Abstract

"Susceptibility" to convulsions was detd. in a standard test situation which was comprised of a sound proof box and jingling keys as the stimulation. 35 offspring of 2 susceptible parents, 25 offspring of 1 susceptible and 1 normal parent, and 18 offspring of 2 normal parents were studied in the standard situation. 74.3% of the first group, 52.0% of the 2d group, and 0% of the 3d group showed the neurotic pattern. On the basis of these percentages the authors suggest that the neurotic pattern is inherited, being transmitted as a dominant unitary trait.